30.12.2025 13:47
Former Beşiktaş President Serdar Bilgili took action following allegations that he was reported for crimes such as issuing fake invoices and using fraudulent invoices. Bilgili filed a criminal complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, stating that a deliberate attack on the reputation of the Holding had been initiated.
A person who applied to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has claimed that former Beşiktaş President businessman Serdar Bilgili has been accused of 'issuing fake invoices, using fake invoices, maintaining false records, tax evasion, and organized tax fraud committed through illegal money transfers via the company,' which has resonated widely in the public.
FILED A COMPLAINT
Claims reported in some media outlets prompted Serdar Bilgili, Chairman of Bilgili Holding, to take action. On December 28, 2025, Bilgili filed a complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegations that began with a news article and were characterized as 'opportunism.' In the application petition, it was stated that a deliberate attack on the reputation of Bilgili Holding was initiated by presenting it as if a complaint had not yet been made. Bilgili Holding and Serdar Bilgili also filed a lawsuit for material and moral damages against the individuals subject to the complaint.
BILGILI HOLDING ALSO ISSUED A WRITTEN STATEMENT
Bilgili Holding also made a written statement to the public against the allegations. The statement emphasized the Holding's 73-year-rooted history and the prestigious projects it has implemented in Turkey and internationally, stating that it will continue to invest in Turkey and create value with determination. It was expressed that the strongest legal response would be given against those attempting to carry out a reputation assassination with baseless claims.
Bilgili Holding, one of Turkey's leading groups in the real estate and tourism sectors, stands out with its globally executed projects, expertise in historical restorations, and support for the arts. The holding, which has global prestige with its national and international successful projects, filed a complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against individuals who made some allegations that constitute a reputation attack.
PERCEPTION WAS CREATED THROUGH A NON-EXISTENT COMPLAINT
In the petition submitted to the prosecutor's office by Bilgili Holding and Serdar Bilgili's lawyer Doğukan Bora Savaş on December 29, 2025, it was pointed out that despite the absence of any official application, false and serious accusations were reported in a way that would create the impression that a 'complaint had been made.' The petition emphasized that the holding conducts all its activities in accordance with the principles of transparency, auditability, and full compliance with the law, and stated that there is no investigation or official determination that overlaps with the allegations.
SMEAR CAMPAIGN AFTER THE LEGAL PROCESS
The petition submitted to the prosecutor's office noted that after the legal processes resulting in favor of the Holding with a tenant, baseless news intensified. It was stated that legal actions were taken against the tenant for numerous illegal acts such as failing to pay rent, unauthorized intervention in historical artifacts, and illegal installations. It was recorded that the final eviction decision given by the 12th Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation on December 10, 2025, was notified to the parties on December 26, 2025, regarding the tenant who has not even paid his debts during the rental period that has continued since 2023.
"THE AIM IS TO CREATE PUBLIC PRESSURE"
In the petition, it was pointed out that after the eviction decision, serious accusations that had no application were reported on December 28, 2025, emphasizing that this situation was a conscious attempt by parties who could not achieve results in the legal arena to create public pressure. Lawyer Doğukan Bora Savaş stated that Bilgili Holding was attempted to be put under pressure by exploiting the sensitivities of the public, and for this reason, a complaint was filed against the relevant individuals. The Holding emphasized in its written statement that it will continue to invest in Turkey and add value to its country and society today and tomorrow, just as it did yesterday. The Holding shared with the public that it will resolutely and uncompromisingly use all its legal rights against any unlawful attempts against its reputation.
In the written statement made by Bilgili Holding to the public, it was stated: "With its 73-year-rooted history, Bilgili Holding has produced added value for its country and society through its activities in the real estate, tourism, food, cardboard, and textile sectors and continues to successfully carry out this function. Since the 2000s, Bilgili Holding has focused on the real estate and tourism sectors and is recognized as one of the most important and respected organizations in Turkey with the large and quality projects it has signed on the national and international stage."
"OVER 40 ACTIVE INVESTMENTS IN 10 DIFFERENT CITIES"
Bilgili Holding, which is also the founder of BLG Capital, the first private real estate fund management company managing international corporate foreign investor capital in Turkey, successfully represents Turkey on the global stage with its strong international corporate partnerships and active projects in different cities in the USA and Italy. To put it in numbers: Our institution has carried out over 40 active investments in 10 different cities, including Erzurum, Çanakkale, Muğla, and Kahramanmaraş, as well as in the major cities of our country. The total area of the projects implemented to date has reached 7 million square meters. The amount of corporate foreign capital we manage abroad has exceeded 1.8 billion dollars. The inflow of corporate foreign capital brought to Turkey is 500 million dollars. It has provided employment for approximately 4,000 people and a source of livelihood for more than 10,000 people.
Meanwhile, let us also mention our collaborations with global brands: Aman Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Residences, Marriott International, W Hotel, The Peninsula, Soho House, The Ritz Carlton Residences, Rosewood Hotels. As for our historical & cultural restoration and social responsibility projects, they are too numerous to count. The second largest mixed historical restoration project in Europe: Akaretler Sıraevler, the world's first underground cruise terminal: Galataport, the first Ritz-Carlton branded independent residence in Europe: The Ritz-Carlton Residences Istanbul, the first The Peninsula Istanbul in Turkey, Soho House Istanbul, Social responsibility: Atatürk House (Istanbul), Atatürk House (Thessaloniki), Topkapi Palace Pavilion.
"TRANSPARENT REPORTING IS BEING DONE"
As one of the groups that provide the greatest support to the arts in Turkey, we have brought over 1 million people together with art for free through events such as Artweeks Istanbul and ADA Show, and we have also taken on the main sponsorship of Istanbul Modern, BASE Istanbul, and the 212 Photography Festival. All financial and operational processes of the Holding and our affiliated organizations are regularly audited by the world's most respected auditing firms, and regular, transparent reporting is made to international corporate foreign partners and global financial institutions.
Recently, false and unfounded claims targeting Bilgili Holding, which clearly aim to exploit the agenda, have been systematically circulated in the media and social media.
These claims are produced by individuals who have lost legal disputes with Bilgili Holding in the past and have previously attempted to defame the company. Such attempts at character assassination against a 73-year-old asset of Turkey and an institution represented on an international scale are unacceptable. In this context, necessary criminal complaints have been filed against the individuals in question, and lawsuits for material and moral damages have also been initiated. Bilgili Holding will resolutely, uncompromisingly, and to the fullest extent exercise all its legal rights against any unlawful actions directed at its reputation, just as it has done until now. Bilgili Holding will continue to invest in Turkey under all circumstances, adding value to its country and society, just as it did yesterday, today, and will do tomorrow. No baseless claim or organized attack will be able to alter this vision and determination.