05.11.2026 16:10
CHP Spokesperson Müslim Sarı, making a statement about Mustafa Sarıgül, who has come to the agenda with allegations of money laundering, bribery, and sexual assault, said, "The debated allegations and conversations have opened a deep wound in the public conscience. Being a member of parliament does not give anyone the freedom to commit a crime; everyone can be tried. If necessary, the issue of lifting immunity can be considered in this process."
The investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which began with reports by German citizens of money laundering amounting to up to 1 billion euros and zoning corruption, is continuing while widening in scope. In the investigation reaching the Sarıgül family, Emir Sarıgül's confession that his father gave Özgür Özel $350,000 and his bodyguard's sexual assault allegations have resonated widely in public opinion. There were also harsh reactions from the political front regarding Mustafa Sarıgül, who resigned from the New Party after the allegations against him.
"BEING A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DOES NOT BRING THE FREEDOM TO COMMIT CRIMES"
CHP Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Müslim Sarı spoke for the first time on the claims that shook the agenda on the "Anadolu Sohbetleri" program. Describing the situation as "a disgraceful situation," Sarı said, "The allegations being discussed, the issues, the conversations... We will see whether this proceeds through an immunity process. Being a member of parliament does not bring the freedom to commit crimes. Everyone should be tried, can be tried. I see that these allegations have also opened a wound in the public conscience. If such a situation arises, I think perhaps an evaluation could be made regarding immunity," he said.
HOW DID THE INVESTIGATION BEGIN?
The file was opened upon a report by two German citizens; the complainants alleged that transactions were carried out through companies to launder large amounts of money of unknown origin. The German citizens also added to their allegations that they were threatened after handing over documents on the matter to journalist Murat Ağırel. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation following these statements. In the statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that the complainants had made allegations that "a contract worth 80 million euros was drawn up," "a transfer transaction of 100 million euros was carried out," "it was promised that a fund of 1 billion euros would be transferred abroad through loans by using public power and influence," and "a boat sale worth 1.5 million euros was made."
HE HAD RESIGNED
Saying that "he made the decision to resign in order to keep his party out of the debates arising due to the investigation," Sarıgül had said, "I am resigning from New Party membership until the said investigation is concluded." Sarıgül recently submitted his resignation petition to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; the New Party's number of seats fell to 90.
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SARIGÜL
While the money laundering investigation continued, sexual assault allegations were also put forward against Sarıgül. In his statement to the prosecutor's office, his bodyguard claimed that until today he had been unable to file a complaint against Mustafa Sarıgül due to fear of political influence, economic reasons, and possible harm to his family, and alleged that there were other victims like himself. Another allegation is that during Sarıgül's term as mayor, he obtained billions of dollars in unjust gains through zoning irregularities. A secret witness included in the investigation alleged that Mustafa Sarıgül obtained billions of dollars in bribery income from the zoning processes of giant projects at that time and that this money was introduced into the system through the Altınbaş family.
The secret witness argued that unrecorded income obtained from zoning transactions was laundered through real estate and tourism investments and alleged that the Sarıgül family had a 50 percent hidden partnership in a luxury hotel in Antalya.