Turkey's AKP establishes multi-million dollar lobbying office in Washington

The Turkish Justice and Development Party (AKP) has established a permanent lobbying headquarters in Washington D.C., investing approximately $6.2 million since 2024. According to filings under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) analyzed by researcher Eitan Fischberger, the party purchased a former French embassy building in a Beaux-Arts style for $4.9 million, with an additional $1.3 million allocated for operational costs and renovations. The office has been active since 2022 and is officially led by Halil Mutlu, a cousin of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The lobbying office's activities involve various political engagements, including meetings with high-profile individuals such as journalist Mehdi Hasan and former CIA agent John Kiriakou, as well as attendance at events hosted by CAIR. While most filings categorize the office's operations as public relations or general discussions regarding U.S.-Turkey relations, the mandatory FARA disclosures have brought increased public scrutiny to the party's influence efforts in the United States. No further legal or investigatory actions were specified beyond the ongoing requirement for transparency regarding foreign political representation.