Justice Minister Akın Gürlek made statements about investigations into suspicious transactions in the capital markets and manipulation activities targeting investors.
Gürlek said four people, including the chair and members of a fund's board of directors, had been arrested in an investigation into alleged manipulative transactions in the fund and share markets.
Travel bans imposed on 51 people
As part of the investigation, 51 people were placed under judicial control measures in the form of travel bans.
Restraining orders were also issued against the relevant accounts and all the suspects' assets to prevent them from concealing or transferring their property.
The investigation was launched after the Capital Markets Board filed criminal complaints alleging that manipulative transactions had been carried out in certain fund and share markets under Article 107 of the Capital Markets Law.
Social media accounts also investigated
In another part of the investigations into the capital markets, posts shared on social media were examined.
As part of a separate investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an access-blocking order was issued against 246 social media accounts and links found to have shared speculative posts capable of causing fear and panic among investors.
16 more people arrested
In another investigation conducted by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 16 of the suspects facing judicial proceedings on allegations of sharing posts aimed at manipulating the capital markets through social media were arrested.
The number of people arrested in the two investigations announced reached 20.
Indictments against 41 suspects
Gürlek also said that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had completed another investigation into unusual fluctuations in trading volumes and share prices.
Following the investigation, indictments were filed against 41 suspects.
Gürlek speaks about “Ponzi-like methods”
Justice Minister Gürlek said judicial proceedings were continuing against individuals and entities that target citizens' savings through Ponzi-like methods and obtain illicit gains through misleading guidance.
Gürlek stressed that those who exploit citizens' hard work, labor and savings would be held accountable before the law.
