Eight more people were detained in the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office money laundering investigation into the Sarıgül family. Police apprehended eight of the 10 people for whom prosecutors had issued detention orders. Twenty-two people had previously been arrested in the investigation, including Erzincan MP Mustafa Sarıgül’s sons Ömer and Emir Sarıgül, journalist Murat Ağırel, politician Aylin Kotil and Altınbaş Holding executive Sofu Altınbaş. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched the investigation on 16 October following complaints by German citizens K.P. and M.B. The complainants alleged that large amounts of money of unclear origin were laundered through companies established in Türkiye and abroad and that they were threatened after providing journalist Murat Ağırel with documents concerning the Sarıgül family. Allegations of sexual assault against Mustafa Sarıgül also emerged in the investigation. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said it would forward the allegations concerning Sarıgül to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Sarıgül described the allegations as “information pollution and a perception operation” and requested the suspension of his YENİ Parti membership. The party announced that it severed ties with Sarıgül following his request. Journalist Timur Soykan criticized Ağırel’s arrest, saying Ağırel had not published his report because he considered the documents in his possession insufficient. Ağırel also said he was arrested over a report he had not yet published.
29 October 2026
Diken