Justice Minister Tunç gives definitive response to claims of fleeing abroad: "It is impossible for someone with a ban to escape"
As rumors that Aziz İhsan Aktaş has fled abroad dominate the agenda, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç emphasized in a statement that it is impossible for individuals with a travel ban to leave the country; the statement did not end the debate.
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Minister Yılmaz Tunç spoke to reporters before the AK Party Parliamentary Group Meeting when asked about the allegations regarding Aktaş. All eyes had turned to Minister Tunç following remarks by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at his party's group meeting, in which he implied that Aktaş might be a fugitive.
Stating that they are not in a position to respond to every allegation directed at them, Tunç used the following clear expression:
"If such a situation is in question, there is no such thing as a person with a travel ban escaping abroad."
Following these words, some names that have come to the public agenda in a similar way in the past were recalled.
THE CASE OF FORMER RECTOR ÜNSAL BAN IS BACK ON THE AGENDA
Minister Tunç's statements brought past events to the agenda in some circles. In particular, the situation of former Turkish Aeronautical Association University Rector Ünsal Ban began to be discussed again. Ban was being tried for four separate crimes, including stock market manipulation, establishing an organization, disseminating personal data, and money laundering. Ban, who remained in custody for approximately 13 months, had been released by benefiting from effective remorse provisions within the scope of the money laundering case.
However, it was alleged that despite the travel ban imposed on him after his release, Ban left Turkey with forged documents and settled in Italy. It was noted that this incident came back to the public agenda following Minister Tunç's assertion that "someone with a travel ban cannot escape."
Furthermore, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had officially denied the allegation put forward by CHP leader Özgür Özel from the parliamentary podium.
Questions regarding how those with travel bans can leave the country despite this restriction and similar developments that have occurred in the past continue to be debated.