Melih Gökçek family under investigation for overseas money transfers

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation into allegations of unregistered money transfers to companies abroad by the family of former Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek.

Following his initial testimony, Melih Gökçek’s son, Ahmet Gökçek, and daughter-in-law, Hülya Gökçek, were summoned to give statements as suspects. Both were released under judicial control with a ban on traveling abroad. The investigation focuses on real estate investments in Germany, specifically involving the company HAMAG Immobilien GmbH, and a transfer of approximately 4.5 million Euros.

In his defense, Melih Gökçek stated he lives on a monthly retirement pension of 150,000 TL and claims to have no properties or company partnerships registered in his name, asserting that previous property records were for assets he had already sold. He noted that he provided 1.265 million USD to his son in 2018 from the sale of a villa to support him.

Hülya Gökçek testified that the 4.5 million Euro transfer used to purchase a building in Düsseldorf was sourced from the sale of over ten properties and personal assets, including gold jewelry received as wedding and birth gifts. She stated she would provide the necessary documentation to the prosecutor's office.