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Trade Minister Omer Bolat has denied allegations that he withdrew 170 million lira from an investment account before fund investigations began, telling the Anadolu Agency that no such withdrawal or account closure appears in Central Registry Agency (MKK) records.

Bolat said the figure was fabricated by adding up repeated transactions over a period of 32 months involving maturing sukuk collections and payments for new lease certificates. He said he deposited 37.8 million lira of family savings into a sukuk account at Hedef Yatirim Portfolio Company on February 26, 2024, and has not exited the investment. He added that he holds no cryptocurrency or overseas savings accounts and pays his taxes and social security premiums regularly.

The minister recalled that a government decision on September 16 launched investigations into seven portfolio management companies, with banks assigned to liquidate 131 related funds. He accused opposition figures, including New Party lawmaker Umit Ozlale and party leader Ozgur Special, of turning the process into a political smear campaign, saying he and Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas disproved the claims with evidence within hours. Bolat invited critics to verify the records directly with the MKK and banks.

Key Takeaways

• Bolat says MKK records show no 170 million lira withdrawal or account closure
• He claims the figure was built by summing duplicate sukuk transactions over 32 months
• Investigations into seven portfolio firms and 131 funds began after a September 16 decision