Terror Investigation into Address, Photo Use in ‘Demolition of Illegal Construction’ News

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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A terror investigation has been launched into the news on the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality's demolition of the construction carried out by Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun on an estate that he has rented in the Zone with View to Bosphorus.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the news where Altun's residential address and photo were used on the ground that he was "shown as a target to terrorist organizations."

The AA has further reported that there was a modular pergola on the estate, which was then removed by the Metropolitan Municipality of İstanbul, adding that the open address and photo of Altun were used in the news.

Fahrettin Altun has reportedly rented the estate behind his house from the Directorate General of Foundations for 10 years.

"Municipality demolished illegal construction'

As reported by Hazal Ocak from daily Cumhuriyet, Altun had a wall built on the estate. While the wall can be seen from many angles, he also had the landscape designed with a road, fireplace and pergola.

The construction in the area was demolished by the teams of İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality the other day upon the complaint of his neighbors.

Speaking to Cumhuriyet, Nadir Ataman, İstanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council member from the Republican People's Party (CHP), has said:

"First of all, I could not believe it when I was informed about it. I could not think that a person holding such an important office could engage in such an unpermitted and unlicensed act in the Zone with a View to Bosphorus.

"Then, when I inquired about it and in the light of the complaints raised by the residents of the neighborhood, I learned that it was rented and constructed by Fahrettin Altun. The neighborhood residents were so tired of it that they ask me 'What happened' everyday."

Criminal complaint against Altun

As reported by Gazete Duvar news website, the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council's CHP Group has filed a criminal complaint against  Altun on the ground the he carried out an unpermitted construction on a foundation land within the Zone with a View to Bosphorus.

In their petition to the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the CHP's council members have requested that Altun be sentenced to 1 month to 6 months in prison and a fine of 200 thousand lira to 500 thousand lira as per the related articles of the Law no. 2960 on Bosphorus.

Kaftancıoğlu: He rented it on the day he was caught

CHP İstanbul Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu has also made a statement about the incident. Noting that a senior public official is seen to be using the state power in this incident, Kaftancıoğlu has briefly said:

"He first opened a protected zone to illegal, unpermitted construction, then he rented it on the day he was caught. While carrying out something illegal is a crime in itself, renting it when caught is also a crime of fraud.

"On April 13, the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality teams intervened in the illegal construction with the approval of the İstanbul 2nd Regional Directorate of Foundations of the Directorate General of Foundations. And, what a coincident, the estate was rented to Altun on April 13."

Indicating that they, as the CHP, have filed a complaint against Altun, Kaftancıoğlu has noted that "it is unacceptable for Presidential Communications Director to be occupied with illegal actions and try to deceive the public while Turkey is struggling against a deadly outbreak."

"We, as the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipal Council's CHP Group, will follow this complaint closely," Kaftancıoğlu has indicated further.

As of 7.30 p.m. yesterday (April 14), Fahrettin Altun had not yet made any statement about the issue. (EKN/SD)