Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that procedures to revoke the citizenship of 1,070 people who obtained Turkish citizenship through irregular property sales had been initiated.
In a statement on Monday, Gürlek said that the second wave of the investigation into irregularly granted citizenships was being conducted by the Istanbul Police Department under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Second wave identifies 274 sham sales
As part of the second investigation, property sales carried out through the construction companies Gül, Beyaz and Lev were examined. Sales made on behalf of 734 foreign nationals were assessed, and 274 transactions were found to be sham sales.
The investigation determined that a total of 1,070 people, including their family members, had obtained Turkish citizenship through irregular means as a result of these transactions. The citizenship procedures of 11 people were still ongoing.
Gürlek said the total value of the sham sales exceeded 3.5 billion liras, or approximately $72 million.
Legal proceedings launched against 88 suspects
Legal proceedings were initiated against 88 suspects during the morning operation, and 72 suspects were apprehended. Digital materials found at the suspects' addresses and in their companies were seized.
As part of the operation, precautionary measures were imposed on 2,011 properties and a hotel, 86 vehicles, two yachts and 42 bank accounts. Trustees were also appointed to 30 companies.
First investigation identified 687 people
The first wave of the investigation examined transactions linked to Babacan İnşaat. At that stage, it was determined that low-value properties had been sold using fraudulent appraisal reports that overstated their actual value, and that 687 people had obtained Turkish citizenship through irregular means.
Gürlek said the necessary legal and administrative procedures would continue resolutely to protect citizenship legislation and establish the extent of public losses.
