‘Transformers’ statue in Turkey sparks controversy

The view of the Transformers-like statue near Turkey’s new presidential palace in Ankara, erected by the city Mayor Melih Gokcek, seen on April 2, 2015. Adem Altan/AFP Photo

ANKARA // A massive statue of a “Transformers” style robot has gone on display in Ankara.

However, it is not as some residents suspected — an elaborate April Fool’s joke. It was erected by the city’s mayor.

The mass of metal and polyester, which now towers over a busy road junction in the centre of the Turkish capital, went up on Thursday to promote the new Anka theme park which mayor Melih Gokcek built despite a court injunction over complaints it breaks city planning rules, local press reported.

Mr Gokcek, who has been mayor of the city of five million people since 1994, is one of the more colourful members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Turkish prosecutors last month launched an investigation into him and deputy prime minister Bulent Arinc after the two politicians traded angry accusations as a row within the ruling party widened.

Public prosecutors in Ankara were investigating Mr Arinc on charges of misconduct and covering up a felony, while they accused Mr Gokcek of embezzlement and misconduct, private Dogan news agency reported.

Nicknamed “Mad Melih” by his detractors, the mayor had promised voters ambitious projects such as the theme park, with giant replicas of dinosaurs and robots, as well as a channel to “bring the Bosphorus in Ankara”, an arid Turkish city.

The giant robot statue, resembling something out of the US sci-fi film series Transformers, did not impress all Ankara residents.

Twitter user “Brgn” called it nothing but a “late April fool’s joke”.

* Agence France-Presse