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Ankara Concert Probe: 13 Detained, Gökçek’s Tweet Sparks Controversy

Melih Gökçek

An investigation into the concert expenditures of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) between 2021 and 2024 has resulted in 13 detentions, including municipal officials and company representatives. Prosecutors allege that public resources suffered losses exceeding ₺154 million. But the timing of a social media post by former mayor Melih Gökçek — made hours before the operation — has raised sharp questions about judicial secrecy and political interference.

₺154 Million Public Loss Alleged

According to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation stems from reports by the Interior Ministry’s Civil Inspection Board, along with reviews from MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board), the Court of Accounts, and independent experts.

These reports claim that 32 concert service procurements during the 2021–2024 period caused financial harm to the municipality, with damages calculated at ₺154,453,221.60.

The charges under scrutiny include “abuse of office” (görevi kötüye kullanma) and “bid rigging” (ihaleye fesat karıştırma).

13 Suspects Detained

Among those detained are:

  • Former senior officials from ABB’s Culture and Social Affairs Department

  • Acting branch managers responsible for cultural events

  • Business owners and partners from event organization companies that secured municipal contracts

On September 23, 2025, police carried out simultaneous raids under the direction of the Financial Crimes Division of the Ankara Police Department, detaining all 13 suspects.

Gökçek’s Tweet Before the Operation

Controversy erupted after former ABB mayor Melih Gökçek posted a message on social media hours before the detentions were announced. His post, accompanied by an image of a bomb, read:

“Hazır mısın Ankara? Hazır mısın Türkiye? Ankara’da milyarlık vurgun patlıyor…”

The timing of the message led to speculation over whether Gökçek had advance knowledge of the prosecutor’s move. Many questioned how he could have referenced a “scandal” so close to the operation’s launch.

Gökçek later defended himself, insisting that his post referred to a different matter, not the concert probe. On platform X, he clarified:

“Ankara Büyükşehir’de konser vurgunları ile operasyon yapılmış… Yapılması son derece doğal… Bu olayın dün attığım tweetle ilgisi yok… O vurgun milyarlık vurgun. Duyduğunuzda dudaklarınız uçuklayacak… Skandalın patlamasına az kaldı…”

CHP’s Harsh Response

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) quickly weighed in. Şanlıurfa Deputy Mahmut Tanal condemned the operation’s handling, particularly the overlap between Gökçek’s post and the subsequent arrests.

In a detailed statement on X, Tanal argued that the principle of judicial confidentiality was violated:

“Bugün Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi hakkında son dakika haberiyle kamuoyuna yansıyan soruşturma daha resmi kaynaklar açıklama yapmadan 8 saat önce Melih Gökçek’in sosyal medya hesabından duyurulmuştur. Soruşturma gizliliği ayaklar altındadır.”

He accused authorities of turning the judiciary into a political weapon, stressing that information leaks undermine the credibility of legal proceedings:

“Unutulmasın, yargı iktidarın sopası değil milletin adalet umududur. Gizliliğin çiğnendiği siyasete servis edilen bir dosyanın tek adı vardır: Siyasi operasyondur.”

Judicial Independence in Question

Tanal listed three points to highlight what he described as a serious breach of process:

  1. Information was leaked from the judiciary, directly violating the Code of Criminal Procedure’s rules on confidentiality.

  2. The judiciary was politicized, with details appearing in a politician’s social media post before official announcements.

  3. Judicial independence was compromised, with the perception that courts and prosecutors acted as instruments of political power.

He added:

“Hukuk devletinde yargı kararları siyasetin ağzından değil bağımsız mahkemelerin kürsüsünden öğrenilir.”

Political and Legal Fallout

The investigation now carries not only legal implications but also political weight. The public prosecutor’s office insists the evidence supports claims of financial damage, while opposition voices frame the probe as politically motivated, particularly given the pre-operation post by Gökçek.

The broader outcome may depend on whether the courts validate the allegations of financial loss or whether claims of political manipulation dominate the narrative.

For now, 13 suspects remain under investigation, and the tension between judicial processes and political discourse continues to define the case.

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