Record fine for business following 'profane' raki glass incident

After it was alleged that raki glasses featuring profane expressions were served to customers at the Mülkiyeliler Birliği social club in the Kuzguncuk neighborhood of Istanbul's Üsküdar district, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül announced that an inspection and investigation had been launched into the establishment.

The Mülkiyeliler Birliği had stated that the glasses in question were brought by customers. Following inspections conducted by the Ministry of Trade at the establishment, it was announced that practices contrary to the Price Tag Regulation had been identified.

Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gürcan announced that a total fine of 487,564 TL was imposed for 154 products found at the establishment.

Gürcan made the following statement regarding the inspection on his social media account:

"As emphasized in the statement by our Istanbul Governor, Mr. Davut Gül, content that disturbs the public conscience, especially content containing derogatory and immoral expressions directed at women, is never acceptable. Many public institutions, primarily the relevant judicial authorities, are taking the necessary steps in coordination against such content.

As the Ministry of Trade, we have also taken action within the framework of our responsibilities in this context. On July 8, our ministry's inspection teams conducted an audit at the relevant establishment operating in the Kuzguncuk neighborhood of the Üsküdar district in Istanbul. As a result of the inspections: it was determined that, within the scope of the Law on the Protection of the Consumer No. 6502, the price change dates were not included on the menus on the tables in violation of the provisions of the Price Tag Regulation, and that the price list required to be at the entrance of the establishment, in accordance with the Price Tag Regulation, was missing.

In line with these findings, an administrative sanction totaling 487,564 TL was applied for 154 products at the establishment. Furthermore, purchase and sale invoices for the last 3 months were requested for 10 products belonging to the beverage group offered for sale at the establishment, and the relevant party was notified in writing that these documents must be submitted to our Provincial Directorate within 7 days. As a result of the necessary evaluation, data regarding these products will be reported to our Unfair Price Evaluation Board. As the Ministry of Trade, we will continue our fight with determination against both practices that violate legislation and approaches that are incompatible with social values."