İstanbul Mayor İmamoğlu now probed over ‘disinfectant purchase’

* Photo: İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality

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Shortly after facing an inquiry for "folding his hands behind his back" at the tomb of Sultan Mehmed II, İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is now probed over the purchase of disinfectants for the Municipality.

The Ministry of Interior has launched a preliminary inquiry against İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor İmamoğlu over the purchase of 15 thousand liters of disinfectants from the NHP Pharmaceuticals Industry and Trade Inc. on March 19, 2020 as per the Article 21 of the Tender Law.

Reference to former Trade Minister Pekcan

It has been alleged that the state incurred damages due to the related purchase of disinfectants. Inspectors have asked İmamoğlu for his defense.

An official from the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality has spoken to Saygı Öztürk from Sözcü newspaper:

"As per the provisions of the Law no. 5018 on Public Financial Management and Control, the Law no. 5393 on Municipalities and the Law no. 4734 on Public Tender, mayors have no responsibility in financial acts and actions as they are not 'spending authorities" or 'tender authorities'."

Underlining that İmamoğlu has no relation to the acts and actions of tender as he does not have the authority of spending or tender, the official has noted that İmamoğlu does not have his signature on the documents of the related tenders, did not contribute to the preparation of the documents and there is no indication that he gave instructions or directions in this process.

Protesting that "there is an attempt to fabricate a crime for İmamoğlu", the official has also referred to former Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, who was removed from office by a Presidential decision amid debates that she had sold disinfectants to the Ministry from her own company.

Arguing that "there is an attempt to cover up" the incident with Pekcan, the official has asked, "Do you see the difference?"

Second inquiry against İmamoğlu

A few weeks ago, a preliminary inquiry was launched against Ekrem İmamoğlu on the grounds that "he had praised the criminal by visiting the dismissed mayors of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP)" and "showed disrespect for the tomb of Sultan Mehmed II".

İmamoğlu's written defense dated May 5 was submitted to the Ministry of Interior as a report by the related inspector on May 7. As a result of the preliminary inquiry launched upon the request of the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was concluded that none of the allegations were proven and no permission was granted for the investigation. (HA/SD)