31.10.2026 16:31
Within the scope of the investigation conducted into Mustafa Sarıgül, the prosecutorial statement of M.B., who gave testimony, has come to light. M.B., who stated that they met Sarıgül as a child at Şişli Municipality’s youth camps, claimed that Sarıgül squeezed their breasts, legs, and buttocks while photos were being taken. M.B. said, “Because we were children at that time, we could not comprehend whether these actions were carried out with sexual intent.” Sarıgül denies the allegations against him.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues to add new statements to the file in the “money laundering” investigation launched against the Sarıgül family upon the complaint of two German citizens. Previously, the statements of former bodyguard Beşir Ömer Demir and former municipal employee C.D. in the investigation had also been reflected in the public.
“15,000 LIRA CAME INTO MY ACCOUNT”
According to Burak Doğan's report, M.B., who testified as a suspect in the investigation, stated that he understood the accusation against him and said the following regarding the money that came into his account:
“15,000 TL came into my account from V.A., who is Mustafa Sarıgül’s accountant. He sent me this money as pocket money approximately 3-4 years ago. I last corresponded with Mustafa Sarıgül on my phone 1 month ago.”
“I WAS 7-8 YEARS OLD”
M.B., who said he met Sarıgül during his primary school years, said, “I met the person named Mustafa Sarıgül while I was going to İzzetpaşa Primary School; later the name of this school became Mustafa Sarıgül Primary School. At that time, I was 7-8 years old.”
M.B. stated that he remembered attending the youth camps organized by Şişli Municipality twice, and said, “At that time, Beşir Ömer Demir also attended these camps, and even his current wife attended these camps.”
“I GAVE MY WORD TO SARIGÜL” MARCH
M.B., who claimed that leadership training was given at the camps and a march was memorized, spoke as follows:
“At the camps, leadership training was given and marches were memorized. We would memorize things like ‘I have made my decision, I have come to be a leader, I gave my word to Sarıgül to serve my country, I will be a leader.’ Since we were children, we would get excited thinking we would meet Mustafa Sarıgül. My older sister and I met many people at the leadership camp in this way.”
M.B. said that he met K.E. and A.S. at the camp, and met Y.G. and E.E. beside Sarıgül during the election period. He also said that in the 1st and 2nd years of high school, they went to Şişli Municipality after school and met with municipal employees.
CLAIM THAT HE TOUCHED WHILE TAKING PHOTOS
M.B., stating that Sarıgül called them over at the leadership camp and at the municipality and wanted to take photos, claimed that he touched them during the photo. M.B. said, “While a photo was being taken, Mustafa Sarıgül would move his hand toward our chest area and squeeze tightly. Sometimes it even hurt. He would even pose for a photo by holding us by the waist.”
“I THOUGHT HE DID NOT APPROACH WITH SEXUAL INTENT BECAUSE HE WAS A ROLE MODEL”
M.B., claiming that as a child he could not understand what these behaviors meant, said the following:
“Since we were children at that time, we could not comprehend whether these movements were made with sexual intent. Since Mustafa Sarıgül was a role model for young people, I thought he did not approach with sexual intent. However, I clearly remember that he squeezed the side of our chests, the hollow of our waist, and our legs.”
“HE WHISPERED IN MY EAR”
M.B. said that in 2021-2022, he and his older sister went to Sarıgül’s house in the Platin Site in Ulus. M.B., saying that Beşir Ömer Demir, his older sister, Sarıgül, and a cleaning worker named C. were in the house, alleged the following:
“Mustafa Sarıgül was drinking whiskey and eating red kapya peppers next to us. After a while, he called me over and whispered in my ear, ‘Would you kiss G.?’ Later, he suddenly took off his shirt, took Beşir Ömer Demir into the room, and they went.”
M.B. recounted that after a while Demir came over to them and said, “The chairman has fallen asleep, I will take you home.” He stated that he had known Demir since childhood, from the leadership camp.
INCIDENT HE CLAIMED HAPPENED AT DINNER
M.B. said that when he was about 19-20 years old, they went to the same house again and ate dinner at the table with 8-10 people. M.B., claiming that during dinner Sarıgül got up from the table with a woman aged 35-40 sitting next to him and went into a study with frosted glass, alleged that he saw those moments from behind the glass. M.B. concluded his statement with the words, “For now, this is all I have to say.”
INVESTIGATION STARTED ON OCTOBER 16
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation on October 16 into the Sarıgül family on the allegation of “money laundering,” upon the complaint of two German citizens. In the investigation, a detention order was issued for 11 people, including Sarıgül’s older brother Metin Mevlüt Sarıgül. It was announced that the allegations about Sarıgül, who has parliamentary immunity, would be sent to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to be evaluated separately.
Former bodyguard Beşir Ömer Demir, who testified within the scope of the investigation, alleged that he was subjected to sexual assault by Sarıgül for 3 years starting from 2021. Former Şişli Municipality Information Processing Director C.D. also claimed that he was introduced to Sarıgül at youth camps and that during the period he worked at the municipality, sexual advances were made toward him and some of his colleagues.
SARIGÜL: THE ALLEGATIONS ARE UNFOUNDED
In a statement on October 28, Sarıgül denied the allegations. Sarıgül said, “The allegations that are the subject of the investigation are unfounded. I do not accept any of them. Since 1956, there has been no issue for which I cannot account.”
Erzincan MP Sarıgül announced on October 30 that he had resigned from the YENİ Party. Sarıgül said, “In order to keep my party outside the debates that arose due to this investigation, I am resigning from YENİ Party membership until the aforementioned investigation is concluded. Within the framework of the rule of law, truth, conscience, and equity, justice will prevail and I will return to my party.”
Yeni Party General Chair Özgür Özel also said in an earlier statement, “If these grave allegations turn out to be true, we cannot defend Sarıgül either, nor can those who love him most.”