Contractor testifies he paid 20 million lira in bribes to Istanbul officials

September 24, 2026 at 08:59 AM2 min

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Contractor Selim Ozderya testified in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality corruption trial that he paid 20 million lira in bribes to secure payments. He said officials demanded cash under the guise of earthquake aid and food cards. Ozderya claimed he took a 600 million lira loan at 55% interest after his receivables were withheld.

Key Facts

Selim Ozderya testified he paid 20 million lira in cash bribes to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality officials.
Ozderya said he took a 600 million lira loan at 55% interest after his receivables were withheld.
Istanbul Spor Kulubu President Fatih Keles allegedly offered Ozderya a 5% bribe rate as a 'fellow townsman discount'.
Ozderya claimed Deputy Secretary General Ufuk Karakaya demanded 5-10 million lira in cash for earthquake aid.

Bribery Testimony

Selim Ozderya, a contractor with 30 years of public works experience, testified as a cooperating defendant in the trial of the alleged criminal organization led by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. He stated that after 2019, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality administration withheld payments owed to his companies. Ozderya said he was forced to borrow 600 million lira at 55% interest to stay afloat, while his receivables reached 750 million lira. He testified that he delivered 20 million lira in cash bribes in four installments, two at construction sites and two in Florya.

Alleged Demands

Ozderya claimed that Istanbul Spor Kulubu President Fatih Keles told him, 'I write 10% for others, but for you, as a fellow townsman, I write 5%.' When Ozderya refused, Fatih Keles' brother Zafer Keles allegedly pressured him, saying, 'If you help the administration, the administration will help you.' Ozderya also testified that Deputy Secretary General Ufuk Karakaya rejected in-kind earthquake donations and demanded cash, saying, 'Give cash, we will distribute it in tents.' He said he left 5-10 million lira in cash at the presidential office in Florya on Karakaya's instructions.