21.10.2026 17:11
Former Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak’s lawyer İsa Sinan Göktaş reacted to CHP Group Chair Faik Öztrak and New Party İzmir MP Ümit Özlale for using Albayrak’s name in their statements regarding the fund investigation. Arguing that Albayrak has no connection to the actions subject to the investigation, Göktaş stated that the transactions belonged to the 2024-2026 period. Göktaş announced that they would file lawsuits against those who use Albayrak’s name in bad faith.
İsa Sinan Göktaş, lawyer of former Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, made a written statement regarding Albayrak’s name being mentioned in statements about the fund investigation. Göktaş described Öztrak and Özlale’s statements as “disinformation.”
“FALSE STATEMENTS OF A DISINFORMATION NATURE”
In his statement, Göktaş said, “An obligation has arisen to make a statement regarding the unfounded statements of a disinformation nature, deliberately and far from good faith circulated by Faik Öztrak, Ümit Özlale and their ilk.”
Göktaş, noting that CHP Group Chair Faik Öztrak included allegations regarding the fund investigation in his statements at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and on his X account on October 19, claimed that the issue was linked to the “128 billion dollar lie” and to Albayrak without establishing a connection with these allegations. He argued that in a text woven with heavy characterizations such as “the names at the heart of the scandal,” “profiteers,” and “the big turnip,” his client’s name—who has no relation to these accusations—was inserted with “a fallacious context.”
“THEY ARE HAVING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PREPARE TABLES”
Claiming that tables were prepared by artificial intelligence using leaked information and shared on social media, Göktaş noted:
“Those who have artificial intelligence prepare tables using leaked distorted information and share them on social media are making a ridiculous pairing just to create a pattern of relationship where there is no connection at all, as if they had received the instruction ‘put Berat Albayrak in there too by force.’ However, Mr. Berat Albayrak left active politics in 2020, has since dealt only with foundation affairs, and has not participated in any political program.”
FIGURES REGARDING HIS MINISTRY PERIOD
Recalling that Albayrak served as Treasury and Finance Minister for only 2 of the AK Party’s 24 years in power, Göktaş argued that during this period a balance of single-digit interest and single-digit inflation was established, positive growth was achieved, and a current account surplus was recorded. Göktaş claimed that despite the pandemic and financial attacks, Central Bank reserves were maintained at the level of 85.2 billion dollars, 350 tons of gold abroad were brought to Turkey, and gold reserves were raised to 719 tons.
REMINDER OF CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULING ON “128 BILLION DOLLARS” CLAIM
Stating that Öztrak’s current criticisms were also made at that time, Göktaş recalled that compensation was awarded against the CHP due to the “128 billion dollars” claim and that the ruling became final with the Constitutional Court’s decision dated May 20, 2026. Göktaş described this claim as “the greatest slander in political history.”
“IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FUND INVESTIGATION”
Göktaş emphasized that there is no direct or indirect relationship between Albayrak and the actions subject to the fund investigation. Stating that the transactions in question belonged to the 2024-2026 period, Göktaş noted that 6 years have passed since Albayrak left office in 2020, and during this period three different people assumed the Treasury and Finance Ministry post. Göktaş claimed, “Those who use people like Faik Öztrak and Ümit Özlale as subcontractors are the same people who had Abdulkadir Selvi write today’s article.”
“EVERYONE WHO OBTAINS UNJUST ENRICHMENT SHOULD BE PUNISHED”
Recalling that Albayrak left active politics in 2020, stating that “the horse’s tracks had become mixed with the dog’s tracks and it had become difficult to distinguish right from wrong,” Göktaş conveyed that Albayrak believes everyone who obtains unjust enrichment and victimizes citizens, including public officials who were negligent in the fund investigation, should be punished in the harshest manner.
17-25 DECEMBER ANALOGY
The statement also claimed that the “international mind” that intervened during the December 17-25 process sought to target President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan through similar methods. Göktaş said, “Whoever carried out the operation inside and outside during that process, the same circles are behind it today as well.”
“WE WILL FILE A LAWSUIT”
Göktaş concluded his statement with the following words:
“In conclusion, although Mr. Berat Albayrak has no relation whatsoever—near or far, direct or indirect—to the allegations and actions subject to the fund investigation, we present to the public’s information and discretion that we will file lawsuits against persons who used his name intentionally and maliciously in statements and news on the matter.”
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Bureau of Investigation into Financing of Terrorism and Money Laundering Offenses launched an investigation into transactions in the capital markets following reports and written applications by the Capital Markets Board (CMB). The investigation is examining allegations regarding shares of Işıklar Enerji, Vişne Madencilik, Odine Solutions, and Tera Finansal Yatırımlar Holding. Today, detention orders were issued for 31 more people.
During the investigation, the resignation of Türkiye Sigorta General Manager and former Central Bank Deputy Governor Taha Çakmak was reflected in the public. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek announced that comprehensive legal regulation regarding capital markets would be made to prevent similar crises. In Parliament, the Bill on Certain Investment Funds Decided to Be Liquidated is being discussed.
New Party Izmir MP Ümit Özlale, in a statement on October 16, argued that Çakmak’s resignation was only one part of a wider network of relationships. In his statement, Özlale also referred to Borsa Istanbul Board Chair Erişah Arıcan and used the phrase “Mr. Berat Albayrak wrote his thesis with Erişah Arıcan,” arguing that the connections of this circle with the Albayrak period needed to be clarified. CHP Group Chair Faik Öztrak also made statements regarding the fund investigation at a press conference at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on October 19.
The “128 billion dollars” debate is based on allegations raised by the CHP regarding the use of Central Bank reserves during 2018-2020, when Albayrak was Treasury and Finance Minister. In the compensation lawsuit filed by Albayrak, moral compensation was awarded against the CHP. The Constitutional Court also rejected the CHP’s individual application on May 20, 2026, ruling that there was no rights violation in the decision.