The investment funds scandal in Turkey has turned into a head-on confrontation between the government and the opposition. Main opposition leader Özgür Özel has raised the question of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’sresignation, while Family Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş has taken legal action against three members of parliament.
The opposition’s argument
Mr Özel argued that if the Turkish president knew what was happening, he must be held accountable and resign. If he did not know, Mr Özel said, he has lost the capacity to govern.
Erdoğan’s response
Responding to the criticism, President Erdoğan accused the opposition of disinformation and of using “tactics of the Gülen organisation”.
“Whoever lays a hand on the people’s property will find the judiciary, the police and all the institutions of the state standing against them,” he said.
He also warned that he would not allow smear campaigns against government officials.
The minister’s legal action
Meanwhile, Ms Özdemir Göktaş announced that she has filed criminal complaints against MPs Ümit Özlale, Cemal Enginyurt and Ali Mahir Başarır. The complaints follow allegations of transactions worth 830 million Turkish lira in investment funds, which were attributed to her father.
She said she has also filed a civil claim for compensation.
Denial and pledge to resign
The minister denies any involvement by her father, maintaining that the allegations stem from a case of mistaken identity involving a person with the same name. She said she would resign if the allegations are proven.
Where the case stands
The dispute has now moved into the courts, with the allegations concerning the 830 million lira transactions the subject of legal complaints. No involvement by the minister’s father has been established.
