Yunus Emre Foundation scandal grows... 8 arrests... Statement from the former president in Germany...

Eight of the 11 foundation employees detained as part of the "fake invoice" investigation into the Yunus Emre Foundation, whose Board of Trustees is chaired by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, were arrested following interrogations that concluded at midnight. Meanwhile, the former president, Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, who was alleged to have fled to Germany, stated that he had not fled, that he was in Germany for medical treatment, and claimed that he had been "framed." Prof. Ateş also called on everyone to disclose their assets from the last 10 years.

Following the detection of millions of liras in corruption during inspections by inspectors from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the initiation of an investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Kutalmış Yalçın—the husband of Minister of Family Mahinur Göktaş and the son of MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın—who was a vice president at the foundation, resigned. Subsequently, arrest warrants were issued for 18 employees in recent days.

Arrest warrants were issued for 8 of the 11 employees detained within the scope of the investigation.

FORMER PRESIDENT POINTS TO TWO CHIEFS OF STAFF

On the other hand, Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, who was the President of the Yunus Emre Institute during the period when this corruption allegedly took place and who was claimed to have fled to Germany, made a statement this morning through his wife's lawyer.

In his statement, Prof. Ateş reported that a comprehensive audit was conducted at the Yunus Emre Foundation by the General Directorate of Foundations of the Ministry of Culture at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, and that all information and documents were examined and reported. He asked, "If all records and documents were examined, why could no corruption or impropriety be detected? If improper activities were detected, why were those responsible not dismissed? Moreover, even though the president's term officially ended in September 2023, why was his term extended by the board of trustees?"

Prof. Ateş continued as follows:

"Why was I not permitted to leave my post, despite my repeated and insistent requests to Mr. Batuhan Mumcu [currently Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism], who was serving as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Culture at the time, and Mr. Hasan Doğan [Chief of Staff to the President], due to the deterioration of my health following the surgery I underwent in 2022? Every administrative or financial decision and practice taken at the Yunus Emre Institute is a decision and practice made unanimously by the members of the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees, whose names and titles are clearly stated on the Institute's website. The Yunus Emre Institute is constantly monitored by the General Directorate of Foundations, the Strategy Department of the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Finance regarding budget expenditures, and the budget is allocated accordingly. Why did these institutions not detect any irregularities? Even though the members of the Yunus Emre Foundation's Audit Board consist of representatives from different institutions and political parties, and this Board prepares its report regularly every year and presents it to the Board of Trustees, why could no irregularity be detected for years? The Yunus Emre Foundation Audit Board is chaired by the Deputy Minister, who is the representative of the Ministry of Finance. It also includes representatives from the AK Party, CHP, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

ENTRY-EXIT RECORDS... ASSETS...

Stating that it is known that he went abroad with official permission and that he continued his treatment abroad for the same reason after retiring in 2024 because his health condition did not improve, Prof. Şeref Ateş also shared his entry-exit records regarding this process, during which he occasionally came to Turkey.

The records show that Prof. Ateş entered and exited 9 times between June 2024, when he left the Institute Presidency, and December 31, 2024, and that he last came to Ankara on December 17 and went to Germany on December 22, while the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation was ongoing.

In his statement, Prof. Ateş provided the following information regarding his assets:

"As someone who lived and worked abroad for a long time before taking office as the President of the Yunus Emre Institute in 2016, I would like to share my assets. The property owned by our family was: 2 detached duplexes in Ankara, 2 workplaces and 2 detached houses in Germany, and one vehicle. When I left the Presidency in 2024, the property owned by our family was: 1 detached house and two apartments in Ankara, 1 detached house in Germany, and 1 million 250 thousand TL received as a retirement bonus. Apart from these assets, there has been no increase in the assets of either my immediate family or my relatives. It is possible to see this in the asset records I submit every year as a civil servant. In summary, during my time working as the Institute President in Turkey, there has been no increase in my assets; on the contrary, there has been a significant decrease in both quantity and financial value."

In the final part of his statement, Prof. Ateş noted the following:

"Unfortunately, such attacks, operations, and traps are constantly being set and implemented in my country for 'great causes.' The simple question everyone should ask is: Why were their terms renewed in September 2023 even though an audit was conducted in 2022, and why did such a file and frame-up come to the agenda exactly 8 months after leaving the post in 2024? What kind of changes have taken place in the country in the meantime? It is possible to see the 'mastermind' setting the game then. I have disclosed the assets and changes of myself and my family members for the last 10 years. The best way to see who is 'dirty' and who is 'clean' is for all politicians, bureaucrats, and members of the press to transparently disclose their assets for the last 10 years."

THE MINISTER HAD THANKED HIM "HEARTFELTLY"

Yesterday, while 11 foundation employees were in custody, the Yunus Emre Institute made the following statement:

"Upon suspicions regarding some transactions related to financial matters at the Yunus Emre Institute, an inspection process was initiated under the instruction of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In this context, the Foundation Board of Trustees dismissed the relevant foundation personnel, primarily former Institute President Şeref Ateş, in June 2024, and subsequently initiated an inspection process as of July 2024. Following the inspection stages, the vice presidents resigned from their posts upon their own requests in order to contribute to the transparent and healthy conduct of the process. In line with the findings obtained as a result of the inspection, a criminal complaint was filed with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on December 23, 2024."

The statement mentions that "Institute President Şeref Ateş was dismissed in June 2024 due to suspicions," but it has emerged that both the Yunus Emre Institute management and Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy "thanked" Ateş at that time.

Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy's post dated June 6, 2024, is as follows:

"We met with the board of trustees of our Yunus Emre Institute. I wish success in their new duties to Prof. Dr. Abdurrahman Aliy, who was elected President at the meeting held at our ministry. I also wholeheartedly thank Prof. Dr. Şeref Ateş, who has served our Institute for many years, for the successful work he has signed his name to until today."

Let us suffice with noting this for now:

Regarding what has come to the agenda so far about what is happening at the Yunus Emre Institute and Foundation, there are such allegations that make one say, "What are these compared to what else?" that we will share them as we find the opportunity.

Müyesser YILDIZ

January 4, 2025