Criminal complaint from the Ministry of Trade regarding socks

In a statement made on the Ministry of Trade's social media account, it was stated: "Posts reflected in the public eye and on social media regarding socks bearing the 'Made in Türkiye' label and an image of war criminal Ratko Mladić being exported to Serbia have been closely monitored by our Ministry of Trade.

An inspection was carried out by our Ministry's Trade Inspectors on September 16, 2026, within the scope of market surveillance and inspection at the firm operating in Istanbul/Bayrampaşa, which was determined to be connected to the product in question. During the inspection, the product featuring the image of Ratko Mladić, which was reflected in the public eye, was not encountered.

The company official declared that they had past commercial relations with a firm named 'Blue Land' operating in Serbia, that they did not recognize Ratko Mladić, who appeared in the image on the product, and that they terminated this commercial relationship approximately 1.5 years ago after obtaining information about the person in question."

PRAISING CRIME AND CRIMINALS

In the statement, which expressed that a criminal complaint had been filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident, it was said: "Within the scope of the inspection, a sample was taken from a different pair of socks belonging to the firm, and deficiencies were detected on the product label in terms of the provisions of the relevant legislation. The samples were sent to an accredited laboratory for the necessary tests to be performed.

Following the test results, the necessary procedures will be established within the scope of the legislation. On the other hand, a criminal complaint has been filed with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the initiation of the necessary judicial investigation against the firm and those concerned regarding matters that should be evaluated within the scope of praising crime and criminals due to the product and images in question."

In the statement, which expressed that it is necessary to have full and complete knowledge about the content and all elements on products bearing the 'Made in Türkiye' brand, it was stated: "Being a merchant; especially exporting by representing our country in the international arena, carries a special care and responsibility with it.

It is necessary to know not only the production and shipment of a product subject to export, but also the image, expression, person, and all other elements on it, and to show the necessary sensitivity. It is of great importance for the protection of our country's reputation in international trade that our exporters have full and complete knowledge about the content and all elements on products that bear our country's name and the 'Made in Türkiye' brand.

Explanations such as 'I don't recognize' or 'I didn't know' are not an alternative to fulfilling the duty of care and responsibility required by commercial activities. As the Ministry of Trade, we will continue to resolutely carry out the necessary inspections and procedures within the framework of our Ministry's duties and authority on such issues that concern our country's production and export reputation."