Istanbul 8th Administrative Court stopped the transfer of the Basilica Cistern from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to the General Directorate of Foundations. The court ruled that if the practice in question is implemented, irreparable or impossible damages may occur.

Source: https://www.cnbce.com/haberler/mahkemeden-yerebatan-sarnici-karari-ibbnin-basvurusu-kabul-edildi-h29781

Upon the application made by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) requesting the annulment of the evacuation of the Basilica Cistern, which was registered in the name of the General Directorate of Foundations under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the 8th Administrative Court of Istanbul stayed the execution.

IMM components opposed the decision to transfer the Basilica Cistern to the General Directorate of Foundations, and in previous statements it was stated that the legal process was resorted to.

In the lawsuit filed against the decision, the court ruled that the eviction process would not be implemented until the case was concluded. In this context, the execution was suspended until the legal defense period of the Fatih District Governorate and the General Directorate of Foundations expired.

If the eviction process is in effect, the court "Damages that are difficult or impossible to compensate may occur" made his assessment.

Deputy Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Nuri Aslan, made the following statement regarding the decision on the X account:

"Basilica Cistern belongs to Istanbulites!

It is pleasing for our Istanbul that the court decided to stay the execution, ruling that the eviction would cause irreparable damage.

This world heritage, which we restored with great effort with IBB Heritage, will continue to remain with the people of Istanbul, its real owner.

We invite all our citizens to see this unique heritage with our 1 TL entrance fee."