Politics · Turkey · 1 hr ago
Turkey’s ruling party seeks damages over coverage of investment fund scandal
In Turkey, several investment funds could not repay people trying to withdraw their money, prompting investigations into suspected market manipulation.
Regulators ordered 131 funds liquidated, affecting more than 455,000 investors.
The ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, is seeking 1.6 million lira in damages from two journalists, a news channel and an opposition spokesman.
The party says their coverage and criticism made unfounded claims that harmed its reputation.
The scandal has raised questions about whether politically connected investors received advance warning, but investigators have not publicly named 141 people and 73 companies they say may have made unjust gains.
The lawsuits come amid other legal cases against journalists reporting on alleged links between government figures and people investigated over the funds.
BirGün TV says it will continue reporting, while investigations into the fund scandal continue.
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party is seeking 1.6 million lira in damages from two journalists, a news channel and an opposition spokesman over their coverage of an investment fund scandal.
The party says the coverage and criticism included unfounded allegations that harmed its reputation.
The journalists and opposition have questioned whether politically connected investors received advance warning before the fund crisis became public.
The scandal began in mid-September, when several funds could not repay investors seeking to withdraw their money.
Regulators ordered the liquidation of 131 funds affecting more than 455,000 investors.
- Who
- Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party is suing journalists Timur Soykan and Şaban Sevinç, BirGün TV and opposition spokesman Zeynel Emre.
- What
- The party is seeking 1.6 million lira in damages over coverage and criticism of an investment fund scandal.
- When
- The lawsuits were announced in October 2026. The story was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Turkey.
- Why
- The party says the defendants made unfounded allegations that harmed its reputation. The coverage concerned a scandal involving funds that could not repay investors.
AKP
Journalists and opposition spokesman
Reason for the lawsuits
AKP
The AKP says the defendants made unfounded allegations that harmed the party’s reputation.
Journalists and opposition spokesman
BirGün TV’s broadcasting coordinator said politicians under scrutiny were trying to silence journalists instead of answering questions.
Coverage of the scandal
AKP
The AKP is seeking damages over reporting and criticism related to the scandal.
Journalists and opposition spokesman
Journalists and opposition figures have questioned whether politically connected investors received advance warning before the crisis became public.
Several funds could not repay investors seeking to withdraw their money, and the scandal erupted.
Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya relinquished her party leadership posts after allegations that she and her husband profited from share transactions before the turmoil.
BirGün TV broadcast reports that are among the subjects of the party’s damages claim against Timur Soykan and the channel.
Şaban Sevinç and Mustafa Balcı were jailed pending trial on accusations of publicly disseminating misleading information.
İsmail Saymaz and Murat Ağırel were placed under house arrest after prosecutors challenged an earlier decision to release them under judicial supervision.
Turkish Minute reported that the AKP was seeking 1.6 million lira in damages.
- Total damages sought
- 1.6 million lira (about $32,400)
- Claim against Soykan and BirGün TV
- 600,000 lira (about $12,200)
- Separate claims against Sevinç and Emre
- 500,000 lira each (about $10,100 each)
- Funds ordered liquidated
- 131
- Investors affected
- More than 455,000
- Alleged unjust gains under investigation
- 187.6 billion lira (about $3.8 billion)
What people are saying
No claim for damages can take precedence over our responsibility to the public,
Sources
Related news
Former Turkish deputy minister jailed pending trial in fund investigation
Turkish parliament speaker meets Council of Europe assembly president
Turkey’s environment minister pledges continued work with Üsküdar officials
İstanbul Bar Association files complaint over claims of favors in judicial hiring
Turkey plans fund investor advances of up to 1 million lira in October
Turkey’s AK Party files three compensation lawsuits over alleged false claims
Average time for divorce cases in Turkey fell to 163 days in 2025
Opposition says government control has expanded to 156 Turkish municipalities
Turkish groups seek review of writer Sabahattin Ali’s 1948 killing
Uludağ plans take effect to support tourism throughout the year
HSK Takes Action Over Sexual Harassment Allegation Against Ankara Judge
