29.10.2026 14:00
The first response from the party came after Mustafa Sarıgül announced that he would apply to have his party membership suspended until the investigation launched into him and his family is concluded. New Party Spokesperson Zeynel Emre said that Sarıgül had shared this idea with the party a few days ago and that the situation would be reevaluated after the allegations were clarified, adding, "He no longer has any connection with us."
New Party announced that it respects Mustafa Sarıgül’s request for his membership to be suspended during the investigation. Party Spokesperson Zeynel Emre said, “At present, (Mustafa Sarıgül) has no relationship with the New Party.” Sarıgül rejected all allegations against him and announced that he would take legal action against those who leaked the information.
SARIGÜL: THE ALLEGATIONS ARE UNFOUNDED
In a written statement on his social media account, Sarıgül argued that some of the allegations and comments that appeared in public regarding the investigation launched into him and his family on October 16 did not reflect the truth. Sarıgül, saying “The allegations that are the subject of the investigation are unfounded,” stated that he did not accept any of the allegations.
Claiming that his personal rights had been violated, Sarıgül argued that there was a confidentiality and restriction order concerning the file and announced that he would take legal action against those who leaked information and those who prejudged him in public.
“UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED...”
Sarıgül also announced that he would apply to his party’s authorized bodies to suspend his New Party membership until the investigation is concluded.
Sarıgül used the following statements in his X post:
“In order to prevent my party from being drawn into debates because of this investigation, I will apply to my party’s authorized bodies for my New Party membership to be suspended until the said investigation is concluded.”
NEW PARTY SPOKESPERSON EMRE EXPLAINED: HE HAS NO RELATIONSHIP LEFT
New Party Spokesperson Zeynel Emre held a press conference today and then answered journalists’ questions.
Emre was asked, “There was a post about a name on a social media account. He stated that he would request the suspension of his party membership because of the investigation into him and his family. Has such a request come to the Party Council? Has the Party Council evaluated it?” and was asked about Mustafa Sarıgül’s announcement that he would suspend his New Party membership.
Emre gave the following answer to the question:
“This is not to the Party Council, but... A few days earlier, he had shared with us that he had such a thought. There are intense allegations about him. Of course, during this process, he also stated that he did not want the New Party to be a subject of discussion. As the management, we respected this thought and welcomed it positively. After the allegations concerning him are clarified, the situation will be re-evaluated. But as he announced, at present he has no relationship with the New Party.”
STATEMENT ALLEGED TO BELONG TO HIS BODYGUARD
Within the scope of the investigation, a prosecution statement alleged to belong to Sarıgül’s former bodyguard was reflected in the press today. According to the information in the press, the statement alleged that Sarıgül had repeatedly sexually assaulted his bodyguard since 2021. The statement also alleged that in 2024, a document was made signed by him and money was paid to him in exchange for not speaking.
INVESTIGATION STARTED WITH COMPLAINT OF GERMAN CITIZENS
The investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office was launched on October 16 upon the complaint of 2 German citizens. The complainants alleged that large amounts of money of unknown origin were laundered through companies in Turkey and abroad, that 100 million euros were illegally taken abroad, and that a fund of 1 billion euros was promised to be provided through a loan. The complainants also alleged that they were threatened after giving the documents to journalist Murat Ağırel.
HIS FORMER WIFE AND 2 SONS ARRESTED
Within the scope of the investigation, a detention order was issued for 17 people on October 16. Fifteen suspects, including Sarıgül’s former wife Aylin Kotil, his son Ömer Sarıgül, and journalist Murat Ağırel, were arrested on October 19. Ağırel was arrested for “knowingly and willingly aiding a criminal organization.” The other son, Emir Sarıgül, who surrendered, was also arrested on the night of October 21.
Of the suspects detained in the second wave of the investigation, 3 were arrested on October 27. Among those arrested was Sofu Altınbaş, Chairman of the Board of Altınbaş Holding.
THE FILE WILL BE SENT TO ANKARA
According to information reflected in the press, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office will send the allegations concerning Mustafa Sarıgül, who is a member of parliament, to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for a separate assessment. There is no detention order for Sarıgül.
In his earlier statement, Sarıgül argued that the documents submitted by the complainants were fake and that an attempt at blackmail had been made, saying, “The only party harmed in this incident is me and my family.” Ağırel also rejected the accusations, saying, “I was arrested because of a news report I did not do.” The lawyers of the Sarıgül family also do not accept the allegations.