Criminal complaint against Ahmet Şık from Akın Gürlek! He also filed a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek has filed a criminal complaint against Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) Istanbul MP Ahmet Şık due to allegations raised regarding the "fund investigation" and Süzer Plaza. It was reported that Gürlek also filed a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages against Şık.

In a statement made by Gürlek's lawyer, Abdullah Adır, the rent allegations concerning Akın Gürlek and his wife, Elif Gülşah Gürlek, were denied. The statement argued that Gürlek and his wife reside in a government-allocated residence provided by the Ministry of Justice and that there is no question of renting another property, adding, "If he has a rental agreement and payment receipt, he should share it with the public immediately."

The statement noted that the allegations were "untrue" and constituted "slander," and that the personal rights of Gürlek and his family were targeted. It was noted that the process would be followed within the framework of the law.

WHAT HAPPENED?

TİP İstanbul MP Ahmet Şık had been on the agenda with allegations he raised within the scope of the "fund investigation."

In his latest post on his social media account, Şık made allegations regarding the judiciary and government relations through fund investigations and Süzer Plaza.

Ahmet Şık directed 6 questions to Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, requesting a response.

Recalling in his post that Süzer Holding Board Member Ali Baran Süzer was detained in Istanbul in late 2025 as part of a drug operation conducted during the time Akın Gürlek was Chief Public Prosecutor and was released under judicial control, Şık said, "This Süzer Plaza is a very busy place," before raising various allegations.

In his statement, Şık raised the following allegations:

"CHP's Istanbul trustee Gürsel Tekin is frequently seen at the restaurant named 'Nobu' in this Süzer Plaza. And with whom, even before he became a trustee... But there is something more important: The Capital Markets Board (SPK), which has been a controversial institution in recent days, is also located in Süzer Plaza. It is said that the minister closely related to the SPK due to investigations is also a tenant in one of the most luxurious apartments in Süzer Plaza. Is the rent, which is a quite high amount, being paid? If it is being paid, we do not know how it is done with a civil servant's salary. It is also said that the renovation and furnishing of the luxury apartment where he is a tenant are also covered by the Süzers. There is also Davut Yasin Bilen, an AKP businessperson widely believed in the public eye to have paved the way for the SPK to move to Süzer Plaza... It is alleged that he is the owner of this apartment. Let's continue with Davut Yasin Bilen. Bilen lives in Süzer Plaza (the source reported that he is kept alive) and allegedly helps relevant parties in resolving some shady business. Despite being 83 years old, father Mustafa Süzer, who is at the head of his business every day, has a big dream. Mustafa Süzer wants to realize a housing project named 'Marmara' on a very large plot of land he owns on the hills of İstinye, which also includes shopping malls. But as you know, on the other hand, Süzer Plaza itself is already illegal. It was erected there with many irregular transactions and could not be demolished. Subsequent mayors Nurettin Sözen and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tried very hard to stop the construction and demolish what was built, for which the license was granted during Bedrettin Dalan's mayoral term. But during the ANAP government of the period, the borders of the Şişli and Beyoğlu districts were changed to prevent the demolition. The project was paved by obtaining the necessary permits and approvals from the ANAP-run Şişli Municipality. (Those interested can read the story of Süzer Plaza, known as Gökkafes, from this link: https://mimdap.org/gozlem/ystanbulun-syrtyndaki-hancerler/) Although everything seems to have been done by the book, this issue hangs over the Süzers like the sword of Damocles. Since the current regime in Turkey is at the lips of a single person and the judiciary values the words that will fall from those lips very much, there is no guarantee for anyone or anything. Also, while son Süzer was in custody, very busy days were experienced in Süzer Plaza, where millions of dollars were frequently discussed under the hosting of Davut Yasin Bilen. During these busy days, the subject of the villas belonging to the Süzers in Bebek was also brought up, but eventually, after things calmed down, Akın Gürlek became a tenant in one of the apartments in the Ritz Carlton. The apartment, which is claimed to be registered in the name of Davut Yasin Bilen, was delivered after being renovated and furnished for the new tenants. The renovation and furnishing costs of the apartment, amounting to 30 million TL, were also carried out by a company belonging to the Süzers, according to the allegation. The rent of the apartment is 750 thousand TL... The upstairs neighbor of the Gürleks, who are tenants at the Ritz Carlton, is Baran Süzer, who was detained in a drug operation, and the next-door neighbor is Ali Ulusoy, who is also a suspect in the drug investigation. Because the SPK is also inside, Elif Gülşah Gürlek covers the distance between her home and work by elevator without struggling with Istanbul's traffic problem. She even eats her meals at the luxury restaurant inside the plaza."

6 QUESTIONS FROM AHMET ŞIK TO MINISTER GÜRLEK

At the end of his statement, Ahmet Şık directed the following 6 questions to Akın Gürlek, requesting a response:

1. Does Davut Yasin Bilen or one of his relatives have an apartment in Süzer Plaza?

2. Are Akın Gürlek and his wife Elif Gülşah Gürlek tenants in this apartment?

3. Is the monthly rent of 750 thousand TL for the apartment being paid? By whom? Are there receipts?

4. Who covered the 30 million TL cost of the apartment's renovation and furnishing?

5. What kind of relationship do you have with Davut Yasin Bilen, who appears as the owner of the house in the title deed?

6. Does Elif Gülşah Gürlek, who is also on the board of the SPK, pay the monthly 250 thousand TL bill for the meals she eats at the restaurant named "Nobu" in the plaza herself, does the Minister pay it, or does Süzer Holding pay it?