25.10.2026 19:00
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made important statements regarding the fund investigations. Emphasizing that voluntary repayments made within the scope of the investigation would not eliminate legal liability, Minister Gürlek stated that protective measures have been applied to the assets of natural and legal persons.
The legal consequences of voluntary money returns in fund investigations are becoming clear. Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that returning the money will not eliminate responsibility in the investigations and sent the message that new asset measures may be applied.
"VOLUNTARY RETURN DOES NOT ELIMINATE LEGAL LIABILITY"
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made a statement regarding the legal status of voluntary returns made within the scope of fund investigations conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Gürlek stated that in line with the will expressed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a distinction is being made between opportunists and good-faith investors. Emphasizing that the money voluntarily returned will not by itself eliminate the legal liabilities of the persons concerned, Minister Gürlek used the following statements: "No room for doubt will be left regarding the legal nature of voluntary returns made within the scope of fund investigations. Making a voluntary return does not, by itself, eliminate the legal liability of any natural or legal person. These returns, which contribute to remedying the harms suffered, do not constitute an obstacle to the conduct of the investigations or the evaluation of evidence."
THE TRUE OWNERS OF THE RETURNED MONEY WILL BE INVESTIGATED
Minister Gürlek explained that delivering the money returned within the scope of the investigations to its true rightful owners is the priority goal. Accordingly, the source, timing, amount, and method by which the returns were made will be examined in detail. In his statement on the matter, Minister Gürlek used the following statements: "Our priority is to deliver the returned amounts to their true rightful owners. Within this scope, the source, timing, amount, and manner of delivery of the returns to the true rightful owners will be meticulously examined; the allegations concerning the relevant persons and transactions will also be separately evaluated legally in light of the evidence obtained."
PROTECTIVE MEASURES APPLIED TO ASSETS
In the investigations conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, protective measures were applied to the assets of certain natural and legal persons. The measures taken to prevent assets from being removed, transferred, or concealed aim to safeguard the rights of good-faith investors. Minister Gürlek said the following regarding the measures applied: "Within the scope of the investigations conducted by our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, protective measures have been applied to the assets of natural and legal persons considered to be connected with the transactions subject to investigation, in order to prevent assets from being removed, transferred, or concealed and to safeguard the rights of our good-faith investors."
IF NEW EVIDENCE EMERGES, ADDITIONAL MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN
Stating that the investigations are ongoing, Gürlek explained that additional asset measures may also be applied in line with new information and documents to be obtained. Minister Gürlek used the following statements in his statement: "In line with new information, documents, and evidence to be obtained, additional asset measures will also be applied by the relevant judicial authorities if legal conditions are met. In coordination with the relevant institutions, the necessary steps will be taken for the sound conduct of the investigations and the remediation of the harms suffered."
"NO LEGAL VIOLATION WILL GO UNANSWERED"
At the end of his statement, Minister of Justice Gürlek emphasized that they are determined to protect investors' rights and to carry out the necessary legal proceedings against those responsible. Minister Gürlek concluded his remarks as follows: "I want our citizens to know that we will continue to follow the process to protect the rights of our good-faith investors and to fulfill the requirements of the law regarding those responsible. We will work resolutely so that no legal violation goes unanswered, the harms suffered are remedied, and justice is fully manifested!"