Turkish ruling party official resigns amid financial scandal

Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, a vice-chairwoman of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a former Minister of Family, has resigned from her official duties. This decision followed allegations by Zeynel Emre, a representative of the opposition Yeni Party, claiming that Kaya and her husband, Ilyas Kaya, engaged in suspicious stock market transactions. Specifically, the opposition alleges that the couple invested 163 million Turkish liras (approximately 3.3 million dollars) in Ozata Denizcilik shipping company shares last April, subsequently selling them for roughly 2.17 billion liras (44 million dollars) shortly before a market crisis.

Following the accusations, Kaya requested President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to relieve her of her duties to allow for an impartial investigation. The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has since initiated proceedings, including a request to freeze the assets belonging to Kaya, her husband, and their children. Kaya stated on social media that her resignation was a necessary step to address the serious allegations against her, emphasizing the political responsibility inherent in her position. The investigation into the couple's financial activities remains ongoing as the country prepares for upcoming elections.