10.11.2026 16:51
Former MP Aykut Erdoğdu, who requested release in the İBB case, made striking statements about former AK Party Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, who was arrested within the scope of a fund investigation. Stating that he was in the same prison as Kaya, Erdoğdu said, "That Fatma is in the same prison as us. I see her crying, my heart aches."
As the trial continued in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) case with 436 defendants, including IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, former MP Aykut Erdoğdu's statements drew attention on the 107th day of the hearing. Taking the floor to request his release, Erdoğdu used striking words about former AK Party Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, who was arrested as part of the fund investigation.
"EVEN SHE MAY HAVE BEEN TREATED UNFAIRLY"
Stating that he had been detained for 18 months, Erdoğdu argued that the accusations against him were slander and criticized the judicial system. Mentioning Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya in his speech, Erdoğdu said that despite their political differences, he believed in Kaya's presumption of innocence. Erdoğdu said, "I am not doing this to Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya. I believe in her presumption of innocence. Because even for Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, justice will not come out of this judicial system. Even she may have been treated unfairly."
"I SEE HER CRYING, MY HEART ACHES"
Also touching on the situation of female detainees in prison, Erdoğdu noted that he was in the same prison as Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya and made a striking statement. Erdoğdu said, "This Fatma is in the same prison as us. I see her crying, my heart aches." Reacting also to the news about himself in the press, Erdoğdu described his experience with the words, "This slander was thrown at me. Now I think, in 18 months I have already served my sentence. Every day in Sabah Newspaper, Yeni Şafak, Akşam, A Haber... What a sin, brother! You are in the middle of a political struggle. Don't do this."
"I WAS THE FIRST TO EXPLAIN THE FUND CORRUPTION"
Also recalling his past statements about the fund investigation, Erdoğdu stated that he had previously brought allegations of irregularities in the capital markets to Parliament's agenda. Saying, "I was the first to explain the corruption you call fund corruption," Erdoğdu argued that the irregularities he claimed occurred in the stock and futures market should be investigated. Claiming that he was a politician fighting corruption, Erdoğdu said, "Now you are keeping me in prison for 18 months with a slander, for a crime I did not commit."
"OUR ONLY DREAM WAS TO HAVE A CHILD"
In his speech requesting release, Erdoğdu also mentioned the treatment he and his wife were receiving to have a child. Stating that their treatments were left incomplete after his arrest, Erdoğdu said that his request to be taken to the hospital was not accepted. Erdoğdu's wife and lawyer, Tuba Torun Erdoğdu, also reacted to what they had been through, saying, "Right now you are taking away my right to become a mother. I am 40 years old!" Torun Erdoğdu, who requested her husband's release, said that their application to continue treatment was rejected.