24.09.2025 18:10
Prof. Dr. O.N.A., who works at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital, was detained on charges of receiving a bribe known as "bıçak parası" (literally "knife money"). O.N.A. was released under judicial control, and it has come to light that he previously condemned the rector who criticized the practice of "bıçak parası" in a statement.
It has emerged that Prof. Dr. O.N.A., who works at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital and was detained on the allegation of receiving bribes under the name of 'knife money', condemned Prof. Dr. Bülent Kent, who stated in 2023 that "There is a lot of knife money in Aydın. It is an uncontrollable problem."
14 patients filed complaints against Prof. Dr. O.N.A., a pain management specialist at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital, and his secretary A.K. for allegedly receiving various amounts of bribes under the name of knife money, to the Financial Crimes Bureau of the Aydın Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch Directorate.
DETAINED AND RELEASED
The Aydın Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation following the complaints. In this context, police detained Prof. Dr. O.N.A. and his secretary A.K. in an operation conducted the day before yesterday. After completing their procedures at the police station, the two suspects were brought to court yesterday. A.K. was released after her statement at the prosecutor's office. Prof. Dr. O.N.A., who was brought to court with a request for arrest, was released under judicial control conditions.
CONDEMNED THE RECTOR WHO CRITICIZED KNIFE MONEY
Prof. Dr. O.N.A. came to the agenda with his response to the statement made by Aydın Adnan Menderes University Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Kent in 2023: "Unfortunately, there is a problem of knife money and private examinations across the country. However, as far as I can see, there is a lot of knife money in Aydın. It is an uncontrollable problem. This is called bribery, it is a crime. Unfortunately, we cannot solve this problem, we cannot prevent it. Another problem is private examinations. The Provincial Health Directorate allows these. They are under their supervision and control. There is nothing to be done about this. These problems should be resolved under the leadership of the government."
At that time, Prof. Dr. O.N.A., who was the President of the Aydın Medical Chamber, stated in his response to Prof. Dr. Kent: "Our physicians are also a part of this society, and the dignity of the medical profession must be preserved. It is unfair to erode or attempt to erode the profession with unfounded, unnecessary, and unproven information. Clinics are opened, continue to serve, or are closed according to laws and regulations. The closure of a clinic cannot and should not be done by the pressure, opinion, or suggestion of the chief physician or the rector. It is not the duty and authority of the chief physician to fight or exert pressure on physician clinic owners. I condemn the unfortunate statement of the esteemed rector on behalf of all physicians and expect an apology."
"THE EXISTENCE OF GOOD PEOPLE STILL NOURISHES OUR HOPE"
On the other hand, Prof. Dr. O.N.A. was also in the news in May regarding the recovery of his lost money. It was determined that the 23,500 lira found in a bag by Uğur Şenses, a cleaning worker at Aydın Metropolitan Municipality, and handed over to the police belonged to O.N.A. After receiving his money, Prof. Dr. O.N.A. stated, "While seeing the conspiracies aimed at defrauding citizens, it made me very happy to see the exact opposite and a very beautiful event. I hope that there will be more people like my brother Uğur. I thank him and his superiors very much." Prof. Dr. O.N.A. also made a post on his social media account at that time, saying, "The existence of good people still nourishes our hope. Thank you for being there, my brother."