Justice Minister Gürlek says 88 jailed, 42 fugitives sought in stock manipulation probes

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that judicial proceedings have been initiated against 404 people so far in investigations into manipulative transactions in the capital markets, with 88 suspects jailed.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that judicial proceedings have been initiated against 404 people so far as part of investigations into manipulative transactions in the capital markets. He said 88 suspects had been jailed, 26 suspects detained and judicial control measures imposed on 195 people.

Gürlek said efforts to apprehend 42 suspects who remain at large were continuing without interruption, adding that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had taken significant measures concerning the financial aspects of the investigations. According to the minister, decisions were issued to freeze bank accounts, seize assets and prevent the transfer of immovable property belonging to 351 natural persons and 102 legal entities.

Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) building

Gürlek said individuals and companies considered to have obtained illicit gains continued making repayments to accounts opened under the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), while chief public prosecutor's offices closely monitored the amounts repaid and the findings of the investigations.

“Our citizens should rest assured; we will follow every legal stage through to the end, from identifying the suspects and uncovering their financial links to asset-related measures and repayment processes,” Gürlek said, stressing that efforts would continue resolutely to ensure that no citizen's rights were lost.