29.10.2026 21:54
The Ministry of Treasury and Finance made a statement regarding the allegations raised through Merrill Lynch Bank, where Minister Mehmet Şimşek worked approximately 20 years ago. The Ministry stated that Şimşek was being targeted through the bank he left about 20 years ago and described the allegations as "baseless." In the statement, it was said, "Efforts to cast him under suspicion through unfounded allegations are unacceptable," and it was announced that legal action would be taken against the relevant publications and accusations.
The Ministry of Treasury and Finance issued a written statement regarding the allegations raised through Merrill Lynch Bank, where Minister Mehmet Şimşek had previously worked.
“EFFORTS TO SMEAR WITH UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS ARE UNACCEPTABLE”
The Ministry’s statement included the following remarks: “It is observed that an attempt is being made to create a forced perception through Merrill Lynch Bank, where our Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mr. Mehmet Şimşek, worked approximately 20 years ago. These efforts are improper and baseless. The efforts to smear our Minister with unfounded allegations through an institution he worked at and left years ago are unacceptable. We condemn such false associations and inform the public that we will use all our legal rights against these publications and accusations. Respectfully announced to the public.”
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
New Party Spokesperson Zeynel Emre, in a statement after the fifth meeting of the crisis desk formed by his party following the fund crisis, said: “There is another very striking event here. Today we see that there are foreign Fatma Betül Sayan Kayas as well. Merrill Lynch is entering funds in Turkey. Destek Factoring, Özata Denizcilik, Katılım Evim… It found the most efficient funds. Someone advised, ‘Enter these funds.’ It did not stop at finding the most efficient funds. Then it exited right on time. In other words, just before the time when citizens’ money was locked in, a tip-off was sent to Merrill Lynch. It took 8 billion liras and left. Who sent the tip-off? We don’t know that, right? But we need to ask this question: While an institution where Mr. Mehmet Şimşek previously worked made such a killing, how ethical is it for him to sit as Minister of Treasury and Finance?”