Breaking News... Statement from Devlet Bahçeli on the fund investigation

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli has issued a written statement regarding the 'fund fraud' that has dominated the last two weeks.

Claiming that Turkey is going through a 'purification process,' Bahçeli stated, "While we, as the People's Alliance, are trying to take our place in global competition, Turkey is also going through a purification process where corruption and irregularities are being uncovered."

"TURKISH ECONOMIC STABILITY DEPENDS ON FINANCIAL STABILITY"

Claiming that those who committed crimes in the fund investigation have been identified and a roadmap has been determined to address the grievances of the victims, Bahçeli stated the following:

*"On the other hand, developments within the scope of the fund investigation in recent days suggest that a small group has manipulated the market by violating the laws. It is understood from the statements of state institutions and authorized persons that the situation is being handled, and a roadmap has been determined and put into practice to identify those who committed crimes and to resolve the grievances of the victims. The stability of the Turkish economy depends on financial stability. The financial system is built on trust. Our citizens, especially small investors, while investing in a financial product when depositing their money in a bank or capital market instruments, are also expressing the trust they have in the financial system and the institutional structure that directs, manages, and supervises this system.*

"IT IS ALSO AT THE DISCRETION OF SOME INVESTORS TO TAKE RISKS"

Emphasizing that an allegation of manipulation in financial markets could harm the entire economy, the MHP leader assessed, "It is natural for our citizens to want to evaluate their savings through legitimate means in financial markets. It is also at the discretion of some investors to take risks."

"EVENTS IN THE FUND MARKET ARE AN OPTIONAL SAVING"

Claiming that the problem in Turkey stems more from implementation than from rules, Bahçeli continued his statement with these words:

*"What is essential here is whether there are illegalities such as market-disrupting transactions, manipulation, fraud, and breach of trust through leaking information while destabilizing the financial system and the economy during the management of the funds in question. I would like to draw your attention to this: the confessions reflected in the public domain show that there is a clear cycle of corruption and bribery in municipalities through extortion and coercion. Events in the fund market, on the other hand, are an optional saving, excluding the manipulations made. I am not trying to make a competition of corruption here, or to make one side innocent. By pointing out a fact, I want to say to politicians who have new names but old mentalities: do not try to exploit society, do not try to steer it in a different direction, and do not try to cover up the illegalities committed in your municipalities in this way; you cannot make anyone believe this story."*

"IT MUST BE PURSUED REGARDLESS OF THE PERSON'S IDENTITY"

Stating that "These should be evaluated as an opportunity for purification, clearing, and addressing the underlying causes," Bahçeli declared, "Therefore, wherever and whoever it concerns; if there is a crime such as corruption, irregularity, abuse of public property, violation of rules, and the like, it must be pursued within the framework of the law, regardless of the nature of the crime and the identity or personality of the person to whom the accusation is directed."

Devlet Bahçeli also alleged that CHP municipalities were involved in corruption. Accusing the IMM (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality) administration, Bahçeli noted the following:

*"The scandal of corruption, bribery, and immorality that began with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has spread like a chain to municipalities in many parts of our country. Over the last two years, investigations have been conducted into numerous municipalities regarding allegations of bribery, malfeasance, bid-rigging, and organized corruption. Although the court processes are ongoing, the allegations, testimonies, and statements reflected in the public domain reveal a picture that shows the scale of the events is large and requires serious handling."*