06.06.2026 11:41
Businessman Rahmi Koç, who faced an investigation after telling a "Kurdish woman" joke at a hospital opening in Izmir, has apologized. In a statement, he said, "I sincerely apologize for my words, which were not intended to target any identity. I wish to share my regret with sincerity."
The joke about a "Kurdish woman" told by Koç Holding Honorary Chairman Rahmi Koç at the opening of the American Hospital in İzmir's Balçova district sparked major backlash. The joke, targeting female identity, patient privacy, and ethnic identity, quickly became a hot topic, drawing criticism from many individuals and political circles.
Following the criticism, the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation against Rahmi Koç on charges of "Publicly Degrading a Segment of Society." After the investigation decision, Rahmi Koç issued an apology statement.
"I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE"
In his statement, Rahmi Koç said his words were not intended to target any identity, using the following expressions:
"I sincerely apologize for my words, which were not intended to target any identity. I wish to share my regret sincerely."
BIG BACKLASH AGAINST BİNALİ YILDIRIM TOO
In images shared on social media, former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım was seen among those listening to Rahmi Koç's joke. Moments of Yıldırım laughing heartily at the joke also became a focal point of criticism. Some users stated that jokes made about women and Kurdish identity were unacceptable, criticizing both Rahmi Koç and others in the room.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
After the controversy escalated, the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an ex officio investigation against Rahmi Koç on charges of "Publicly Degrading a Segment of Society."
AKIN GÜRLEK: UNACCEPTABLE
Following the investigation, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated in a declaration that expressions deemed to target women and citizens belonging to a specific ethnic identity are unacceptable.
Gürlek used the following expressions in his statement:
"Following posts on social media platforms, an ex officio investigation has been launched by our İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding expressions made by a businessperson at an opening ceremony, deemed to target women and our citizens belonging to a specific ethnic identity. The scales of justice do not weigh according to anyone's wealth, title, or status; the judiciary always protects human dignity and the law. Expressions that damage the honor of women, insult their dignity, and are incompatible with our societal sensitivities are never acceptable, no matter who says them. Uttering such words under the guise of a 'joke' or humor does not lessen the discourtesy displayed towards our women and a specific segment of our society. We will resolutely continue to stand against all forms of discriminatory approaches targeting the honor of our women, who are the cornerstone of our society, and our citizens."
AK PARTİ: VERY WRONG AND UGLY
AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also made a statement on the matter. Çelik stated that they condemn all degrading rhetoric towards women, using the following expressions:
"We condemn all forms of degrading rhetoric towards women. It is essential that discourse regarding women adopts a respectful, careful, and high-quality approach. No segment of our society can be the subject of degrading, discriminatory, or alienating rhetoric concerning their belief, ethnic origin, culture, identity, or gender. Degrading approaches based on belief, ethnic origin, and gender breed hate speech. Such wrong rhetoric must be strictly avoided. Associating a degrading expression with the term 'Kurdish woman' is contrary to our values, very wrong, and ugly. We clearly and fundamentally reject these wrong and ugly approaches that offend all of us, along with our Kurdish citizens, and all our women. Hate speech can never be excused under the guise of humor. Correcting wrong rhetoric and apologizing is a requirement of respect for our values. Everyone must strive to use a prudent, high-quality, and respectful language regarding belief, culture, ethnic origin, identity, and gender. All our citizens possess equal honor, dignity, and value."
PERVİN BULDAN: DON'T YOU HAVE ANY SHAME
One of the first harsh reactions from the political front came from DEM Party İmralı Committee member Pervin Buldan. Buldan, quoting Rahmi Koç's words in a post on her social media account, used the expressions, "Don't you have any shame? This is disgraceful, in a word."