Under the administration of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, detailed investigations into previous governance practices are resurfacing. A recent inquiry has highlighted significant public losses linked to contracts awarded during the previous AKP-led administration, particularly involving a company associated with AKP politician Nadir Uzun.
Examination Uncovers Public Loss:
The investigation focused on a 2016 contract involving
Stil Tatil Danışmanlığı, a company partly owned at the time by
AKP politician Nadir Uzun. The firm had received an
excessive payment of approximately 370,866 Turkish Lira, equivalent to nearly
5 million TL today, causing significant
public loss.
Judicial Process Raises Questions:
Despite the
Istanbul Regional Administrative Court's decision mandating a formal investigation, the
Istanbul Prosecutor's Office controversially concluded on February 14, 2024, that there was "no need for prosecution," raising public and administrative concerns.
Background of the Contract:
The controversial agreement, signed on April 4, 2016, was initially valued at
996,840 TL and involved organizing out-of-city training programs on innovative approaches in local government for
Istanbul Municipality employees. Though scheduled for a four-and-a-half-month period, the municipality made unexplained
excess payments significantly higher than stipulated by regulations.
Persistent Legal Challenges:
Initially referred to prosecutors in November 2020,
Istanbul’s governorship denied investigation permission in June 2022. After persistent appeals by
İBB, the
Istanbul Regional Administrative Court eventually authorized the investigation. Despite this, prosecutors reiterated their stance, denying prosecution in February 2024.
Company’s Ownership Timeline Raises Suspicion:
Stil Tatil Danışmanlığı was founded in 2012 by Murat Bayındır and Mehmet Katırcıoğlu, with
Nadir Uzun joining as a third partner in 2013. Uzun became the largest shareholder by June 2016 but curiously exited the company only nine days before the controversial contract expired.
Who is Nadir Uzun?
Born in 1982,
Nadir Uzun has extensive political affiliations with the
AKP, having served in the party's
Istanbul provincial management and contested the parliamentary elections in 2011. Despite being listed behind prominent
AKP figures, Uzun did not secure a parliamentary seat. He has also held various managerial roles in tourism and served in Turkey’s Association of Travel Agencies (
TÜRSAB).
nadir uzun
