18.07.2025 18:09
The former President of the Yunus Emre Institute, Şeref Ateş, who was detained as part of an investigation into allegations of irregular transactions that caused damage to the foundation, has been arrested.
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Former president of the Yunus Emre Foundation, Şeref Ateş, was detained at Ankara Esenboğa Airport as he entered Turkey in relation to the investigation launched regarding allegations that he caused damage to the foundation with fraudulent invoices.
In a statement from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated, "Due to irregular transactions carried out within the Yunus Emre Foundation, allegations of damage to the foundation have led to an investigation by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of 'abuse of trust due to service' and 'money laundering from crime.' Şeref Ateş, the former President of the Yunus Emre Institute, who had an arrest warrant issued against him, was captured and detained at Esenboğa Airport on 16.07.2025. The suspect's proceedings are ongoing at the Financial Crimes Investigation Branch of the Ankara Provincial Police Department under the coordination of our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation is being conducted meticulously in all aspects, and further information will be provided on developments," it was said.
HE WAS ARRESTED
Şeref Ateş, the former President of the Yunus Emre Institute, who was detained in the investigation regarding the damage caused to the foundation due to irregular transactions, was arrested by the magistrate's court for the crimes of "abuse of trust due to service" and "money laundering from crime."
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the investigation initiated due to allegations of corruption within the Yunus Emre Institute, which operates to promote the Turkish language, it was determined that the scale of the fraud committed by suspects who established 6 shell companies and transferred the foundation's funds to them was over 300 million lira according to initial findings. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation based on allegations that the institution was harmed by fake invoices obtained from these shell companies.
Raids were conducted at the addresses of suspects, including former president Şeref Ateş and former managers and employees. While Şeref Ateş was not found at home, the other 17 suspects were captured and detained. Additionally, 1458 bank accounts, 20 crypto accounts, and 3 safe deposit boxes belonging to 11 individuals accused in the investigation and their relatives were seized.
WHO IS ŞEREF ATEŞ?
Born in 1964 in Malatya, Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş spent his childhood and youth in Turkey and Germany. He completed his undergraduate education at Selçuk University, and his master's and doctorate at the Department of Western Languages and Literatures of the Faculty of Language and History-Geography at Ankara University. He then completed his second doctorate at the University of Marburg in Germany in the Faculty of Political Science.
Şeref Ateş, who received the title of professor in 2011, began his academic career at Gazi University and later served at Sakarya University and other higher education institutions. He was appointed as the President of the Yunus Emre Institute by presidential decree in 2016 and continued in this role until 2025.
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