The 'bale of money' images given by the pro-government media during the operation turned out to be old

In the 5th wave operation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, 34 people were detained. Among those detained are former CHP MP Aykut Erdoğdu, Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor Hakan Bahçetepe, Avcılar Mayor Utku Caner Çaykara and Büyükçekmece Mayor Hasan Akgün.

During the operation, while news reports were being published in the pro-government media stating that "there were bales of dollars in the office", CHP leader Özel used harsh words towards the news and TRT and noted the following:

"IF 1 TL CAME OUT OF THE CASHBOX, I'M QUITTING POLITICS" "They are serving footage found on the internet and creating the perception that a secret safe was reached in the Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality. What was found in the safe was the municipality's seal and a hard disk containing previous computer records. There is not a single TL of money. Shame on you. I am telling the TRT General Manager and all the television broadcasters who broadcast that footage. If 1 TL came out of the safe, I'm quitting politics today, come on!"

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE WAS USED It turned out that the footage served as "search moments" in the pro-government media was archive footage from a different operation.

"NECESSARY STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ALLEGATIONS" In the statement made by Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality regarding the news in question, it was stated that "No elements of crime were found in the search and the situation was clearly written in the search report" and the following was recorded:

"On May 31, 2025, a detention order was issued for our Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor, Mr. Hakan Bahçetepe; in line with the decision, a search was conducted by law enforcement officers in the mayor's office.

No criminal elements were found in the search, and this was clearly recorded in the search report.

On some news sites and social media accounts, false news is deliberately being spread about “the presence of bales of dollars in the office.”

The cash register and currency images used in the news were not taken in our municipality building, and archive images obtained in other operations were used by adding them to the news. Our municipality has taken the necessary steps against those responsible for these baseless allegations by exercising all of its legal rights.

These publications clearly:

•It aims to create public pressure on the judicial process,

•Aims to discredit our Mayor in the eyes of society,

•It is being used as part of a perception operation against the will of the people.

We have full confidence that there will be no interruption in the services of our Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality and that we will overcome this process together with our citizens.

It is respectfully announced to the public.

Gaziosmanpaşa Municipality"

PUBLIC STATEMENT On May 31, 2025, a detention order was issued for our Gaziosmanpaşa Mayor, Mr. Hakan Bahçetepe; in accordance with the decision, a search was conducted by law enforcement officers in the mayor's office.

The search revealed no criminal elements… pic.twitter.com/n8Slowk914

— Hakan Bahçetepe (@BahcetepeHakan) June 1, 2025

Source: News Center