In an operation conducted in 13 provinces centered in Istanbul, 73 suspects were detained for allegedly carrying out Turkish citizenship procedures through collusive real estate sales and forged documents. The investigation determined that money transfers were made to appear to have taken place without the required foreign currency entering Türkiye, inflated and inaccurate appraisal reports were prepared, and unjust benefits were obtained from foreigners. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that thousand 70 foreigners had obtained citizenship through irregular transactions, that transactions totaling 72 million 250 thousand dollars were collusive, and that an administrative process had been initiated to revoke the citizenships. While the operation targeted the apprehension of 88 suspects, searches were conducted at 78 addresses and companies.
Those seized:
- 2 thousand 11 properties
- A hotel in Bağcılar
- 86 motor vehicles
- 2 yachts
- 42 bank accounts
- 30 joint-stock companies
Trustees were appointed to the companies. The investigation covers the crimes of establishing a criminal organization, migrant smuggling, fraud to the detriment of public institutions and forgery of documents.
Why it matters
The investigation reveals that conditions such as property purchases and foreign currency transfers in citizenship procedures being met only on paper could affect both public institutions and foreigners conducting transactions in this process. Allegations of inaccurate appraisal reports and fictitious money transfers raise questions about how the economic indicators used for citizenship are monitored. The seized properties, companies and bank accounts show that the investigation is not limited to individual applications, but also covers commercial structures considered to have played a role in the transactions. With the initiation of the administrative revocation process, the main issues that remain open are which citizenships will be revoked and on what grounds, and how the charges in the investigation will be resolved through the judicial process.