Claim for Advertising Permission from IMM Without Wages
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has made significant allegations following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) President Ekrem Imamoglu and 99 suspects. The charges include involvement in a criminal organization, bribery, fraud, and other corrupt activities.
One witness, identified as İ.Y, revealed shocking details about the purchase of advertising permissions from the IMM. According to İ.Y, after the change in administration at IMM in 2019, companies were required to pay non-wage fees for advertising permissions. These fees were collected under the guise of design and graphic charges, which were not in accordance with regulations.
Furthermore, İ.Y stated that there were instances of pressure from authorities when companies failed to obtain these permissions before displaying advertisements. This led to concerns about selective enforcement and favoritism in the approval process.
Another witness, identified as OT, shared his experience of working with IMM on tenders and advertising rental. He described a situation where a significant sum of money was demanded in exchange for visual compliance permission. OT also alleged that additional demands were made by individuals within the municipality in exchange for granting permissions.
Overall, both witnesses painted a disturbing picture of corruption and abuse of power within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. These revelations highlight the need for thorough investigations and accountability to ensure transparency and integrity in government operations.
