⚖️ Justice System and Everyday Life in Türkiye
Journalists summoned as suspects in fund investigation; detention orders for two
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office summoned journalists İsmail Saymaz, Murat Ağırel and Şaban Sevinç to give statements as suspects on a disinformation charge, over alleged misleading public statements about the fund investigation. Detention orders were then issued for Sözcü editor Mustafa Balcı and for Sevinç. Balcı announced on social media that he was being detained.
Prosecutors: 214 people and companies earned TL 187.65 billion from three funds
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office found that 214 individuals and companies earned a combined TL 187.653 billion from three funds: 141 individuals earned about TL 100.676 billion and 73 legal entities about TL 86.977 billion. The list of names has been sent to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), which has begun formal notices on repayment. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said investigators are examining people who sold fund units on 13–16 September. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek said 17 TEFAS funds had been liquidated and the money of 43,000 fund investors deposited in banks.
Justice Ministry rejects Özel’s claim of leaked information as “baseless slander”
The Justice Ministry responded to Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel’s claim that he had received information on the fund investigation from the ministry, calling it “ağır ve mesnetsiz bir iftira” (a grave and baseless slander). The ministry said the prosecutor’s office acted after detecting unusual movements in certain funds and stocks, requested information from the Capital Markets Board (SPK) on 19 August and took liquidation decisions on 17 September.
Maltepe building collapse: death toll rises to five
A seven-storey building collapsed in Cevizli neighbourhood, Maltepe, Istanbul, at about 05:40 on 8 October. Three more bodies were recovered, bringing the death toll to five; ten people were rescued alive and the search has ended. A controlled demolition began and three nearby buildings were evacuated. The architect and the site chief were detained. Maltepe Mayor Esin Köymen said the top two floors were built illegally after the occupancy permit was issued.
Afyonkarahisar deputy governor found shot, dies
İhsan Ayrancı, Deputy Governor of Afyonkarahisar, was found shot in the Gecek thermal area at about 21:00 on 8 October and died in hospital. The governorship announced his death and said judicial and administrative investigations are under way. The official statement did not state the cause of death.
Sixteen detained in Zonguldak over leaks before illegal-mine raids
Sixteen people were detained in Zonguldak over allegations that information was leaked ahead of raids on illegal coal mines and that bribes were taken or given. Four were remanded in custody, eight placed under judicial control and four released. The suspects include an employee of Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise (TTK), a forest protection officer and 13 illegal mine operators.
Actress Berna Laçin released after detention over social media post
Actress Berna Laçin was detained at her Istanbul home over a post responding to İzmir Mayor Cemil Tugay’s move from the CHP to the AKP. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation for inciting hatred or enmity among the public. After giving her statement she was referred to a criminal judgeship of peace with an arrest request and was then released.
RTÜK fines Sözcü TV for not airing court-ordered reply
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) fined Sözcü TV for not broadcasting a court-ordered reply and correction over a news report claiming that members of a science team sent to Antarctica were unqualified. The Ministry of Industry and Technology had applied to a criminal judgeship of peace, and Ankara’s 48th Criminal Court of First Instance ordered publication. RTÜK said the channel breached Law No. 6112.
🏛️ Politics
AKP and MHP vote down opposition motions on fund crisis inquiry
On 8 October the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) rejected motions from five opposition groups (Yeni Yol, İYİ Party, CHP, DEM Party and Yeni Parti) to investigate the fund crisis, with AKP and MHP voting against. AKP Group Deputy Chair Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu said administrative and judicial investigations were continuing and called claims about some politicians and relatives slander. The article says 455,758 investors were affected and that the rejection does not stop judicial probes.
Fidan holds talks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Orban in Ankara
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orban in Ankara. The two held bilateral talks followed by a joint press conference.
MİT chief Kalın meets Syrian Foreign Minister Shaibani
Intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın met Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (Esad Hasan Şeybani) in Ankara, according to security sources. The talks covered bilateral ties, the state of Syria’s integration process after the dissolution of the SDG, coordination against ISIS (DEAŞ), Israeli attacks in southern Syria and the effects of the lifting of US sanctions.
🤝 Ruling Government (AKP, MHP, CHP and DEM coalition aka People’s Alliance)
PKK leadership says it has withdrawn all armed forces from Türkiye and border areas
The PKK’s post-dissolution Movement Leadership said it had withdrawn all its armed forces inside Türkiye and near the border, and had vacated four tunnels and fortified positions in Metina, northern Iraq. It criticised the framework law, said promised steps on Abdullah Öcalan’s contacts had not followed, and called for “freedom laws”, warning that delay would increase doubts about the process.
🗳️ Opposition Parties (New Party and İYİ Party)
Özel visits three jailed Mersin mayors, then rallies in Silifke and Mersin
Yeni Parti leader Özgür Özel was to visit Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Seçer, Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit and Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan Tuncer at Mersin Tarsus T Type Closed Prison at 09:00, followed by rallies in Silifke (13:30) and outside Mersin Metropolitan Municipality (16:00). The article says 34 people, including the three mayors, were arrested on 6 October in a corruption investigation.
İYİ Party’s Poyraz presses for fund inquiry in TBMM
İYİ Party Group Deputy Chair Uğur Poyraz repeated the call for a parliamentary research commission on the fund crisis, saying the ruling party had been silent in the General Assembly for about 15 days. He asked the ruling bloc: “Hiç mi ar etmiyorsunuz, hiç mi hicap duymuyorsunuz?” (“Have you no shame at all?”) and demanded to know who leaked information and who manipulated the market.
Özel calls Cemil Tugay a “traitor” for the party and a “puppet” for the AKP
In an interview with Nefes newspaper, Özgür Özel said of İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, who moved to the AKP: “Cemil bizim için hain, onlar için de kukla.” Özel said Yeni Parti aims to win all 31 districts of İzmir in the next local elections. The claims are Özel’s own.
43 suspects, including former mayor, referred to court in Bayraklı probe
In the İzmir investigation into Bayraklı Municipality and its affiliate BAYBEL A.Ş. (charges include forming a criminal organisation, bribery and bid rigging), 43 suspects were referred to court after police statements and four were released. Those referred include former mayor Serdar Sandal and the former BAYBEL board chair. One suspect is still at large.
Three more arrests in Silifke Municipality probe; 14 now in custody
In the second wave of the Silifke Municipality investigation, seven people were detained and three arrested: the deputy mayor, a former zoning director and a businessman; four were released under judicial control. With these arrests, 14 people are in custody, including Mayor Mustafa Turgut, who was detained in the first operation on 19 June.
Prosecutors investigate damage at Yeni Parti’s Esenyurt district congress
The Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into the Yeni Parti Esenyurt district congress, planned for 27 September and postponed after tension. A district official alleged that after one candidate withdrew some participants damaged ballot boxes and equipment. Prosecutors are collecting camera footage and statements; no suspects have been identified.