An unauthorized construction project in the Vaniköy district of Istanbul, located in a protected forest area near the Bosphorus, has been halted following investigations by multiple government agencies. The construction, which involved building luxury villas, was found to be operating without proper permits and in violation of environmental regulations.The site, previously owned by Adnan Oktar, a former leader of an organized crime group, was recently purchased by a Russian businessman, Boris Borisenko. This revelation has added a layer of complexity to the already controversial situation.The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change launched an investigation after receiving reports of the unauthorized construction. Initially, investigators were denied entry to the private property, but later gained access with police assistance. The ministry has since ordered the construction to be stopped and the site to be sealed off.Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that a criminal investigation has been launched under Article 184 of the Turkish Penal Code for ‘Causing Environmental Pollution’. Tunç stated on social media, ‘We will not tolerate any negative impact on the nature of our beloved Istanbul, the eye of the world’.The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and politicians, leading to accusations of negligence against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB). AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman Osman Nuri Kabaktepe criticized the İBB, stating, ‘Ignoring the destruction of the forest land in Vaniköy is not only a betrayal to the environment, but also to the people of Istanbul’.The İBB has responded to the allegations, stating that they had previously issued a construction stop order on August 16, 2024, and filed a complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. They maintain that they are committed to fulfilling their legal obligations and preventing unauthorized construction.As the investigations continue, this incident has highlighted the ongoing challenges in balancing urban development with environmental protection in Istanbul, particularly in sensitive areas like the Bosphorus coastline.
Key points
- Unauthorized luxury villa construction in Istanbul’s Vaniköy district has been halted by government agencies.
- The construction site, located in a protected forest area, was found to be operating without proper permits.
- A criminal investigation has been launched for ‘Causing Environmental Pollution’.
- The incident has sparked political controversy and accusations of negligence against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
Contradictions👾The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) claims they issued a construction stop order on August 16, 2024, while other sources suggest they were unaware or negligent about the unauthorized construction.
