Altaylı: Fund investigation reaches BDDK and Takasbank executives

Journalist Fatih Altaylı, writing a column in Sözcü Newspaper, argued that the stock exchange and fund embezzlement investigation has entered a stage that is "more critical and more important" than the arrest of former Family and Social Services Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya.

According to Altaylı, in addition to BDDK Deputy Chairman M. Erişen and Takasbank General Manager Y. Arıncı, K. Akkaya and N. Çevik, whom he had previously mentioned by initials in his column, were also detained. The columnist characterized these names as the "black box" of the investigation, arguing that their detentions could play a key role in solving the case.

Altaylı also recalled that in the days following the fund embezzlement scandal, he noted in his column how a deputy minister was first assigned to a passive position and then removed from BTK board membership. The former deputy minister in question has been linked to Bulls Investment and Lydia Holding through his spouse; measures were sought to be placed on assets owned by the spouse, and real estate, aircraft, and ground vehicles were requested to be investigated.

In addition to these, citing information from circles close to the government, Altaylı relayed reports that Erişah Arıcan, who served as the first female chairman of the board at Borsa Istanbul and as deputy chairman of Turkey's Wealth Fund, could also be detained, drawing a cautious frame by stating, "I cannot tell if these are facts or wishes, but frankly I see this is not going to be easy."

The columnist characterized an opposition representative who has never criticized the Justice Ministry until now as starting to target the ministry precisely during this investigation period, and as a move being made "moreover with the mouths of some AK Party members who are troubled by this investigation."