Egemen Bağış: Gift is A Turkish Tradition

Former EU Minister Egemen Bağış testified within the second session of testimonies at a parliamentary commission regarding corruption allegations on four former ministers. 

According to Cumhuriyet newspaper, Bağış pleaded not guilty regarding “bribery” accusations within December 17 Corruption Probe. 

“Gift is a Turkish tradition,” he responded on inquiries regarding a package sent by Reza Zarrab [an Iranian businessman and former top suspect of the Corruption Probe] that he said to have contained chocolate and shirt. 

CHP requested dismissal of Köylü

Four commission members affiliated with the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) submitted a motion, requesting the dismissal of Chairman Hakkı Köylü from Justice and Development Party (AKP) on the basis that he “lost his confidentiality”. 

Contended to receive the motion in person, Köylü made a press conference after the hearing, denying all allegations. 

Testimony took 1.5 hours 

Egemen Bağış testified for 1.5 hours. It was alleged that some commission members from AKP helped him reply the questions. 

Köylü announced that Bağış responded all inquiries. According to various sources, he confirmed a series of package deliveries to his address. 

“But they didn’t have money inside. Gift is a Turkish tradition,” he responded on inquiries regarding a package sent by Reza Zarrab [an Iranian businessman and former top suspect of the Corruption Probe] that he said to have contained chocolate and shirt.  

Accusation 

Following the session, Bağış responded press inquiries. 

“I informed the commission on allegations and accusations with all my sincerity,” he said. 

The commission will hear former Interior Minister Muammer Güler and former Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan next week. 

3 advocates 

Attending the session with 3 advocates, Bağış reportedly consulted his lawyers frequently and denied to respond questions from CHP-affiliated commission members, saying that they had nothing to do with the investigation.

It was also claimed that some of the questions were interrupted and responded by AKP-affiliated commission members. 

“Can you fit money into a chocolate box?” an AKP-affiliated member interrupted a CHP-affiliated member’s inquiry. 

“They are all made up,” Bağış contended to say when he was asked about Forensic’s Institute report that confirmed the authenticity of leaked voice recordings that originated the Corruption Probe. (HK/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.