Sultan Abdülhamid's descendants become heirs after 15 years!

Sultan Abdülhamid's 71 grandchildren have been officially declared heirs following a ruling by the Istanbul 12th Civil Court of Peace. However, the court did not rule for the transfer of real estate to the heirs, which includes valuable properties such as Galatasaray Island, Veliefendi Meadow, the Dolmabahçe orchard, and Kabataş Square.

GALATASARAY ISLAND, DOLMABAHÇE, AND KABATAŞ SQUARE

It is stated that the list of properties for which the heirs are claiming rights includes Galatasaray Island, a 30-dekar orchard in Dolmabahçe, a mill plot in Galata, and Kabataş Square.

However, the heirs face another obstacle. The Law on the Abolition of the Caliphate and the Expulsion of the Ottoman Dynasty from Turkey, enacted in 1924, prevents claims from being made regarding the Sultan's assets.

While the decision confirms the certificate of inheritance, it does not contain any authority regarding any transfer process. It is noted that the heirs may pursue different legal avenues.

"THE SULTAN'S ASSETS PASS TO THE NATION"

Speaking to NTV, inheritance lawyer Dilek Yüksel stated, "Certificate of inheritance cases are declaratory judgments. They are not performance lawsuits. In other words, they cannot rule on another dispute between the parties."

Stating that the court can only identify Sultan Abdülhamid's heirs, Yüksel said, "The court cannot make any decision regarding the assets subject to inheritance concerning the real estate left by Abdülhamid."

Reminding of the Law on the Abolition of the Caliphate and the Expulsion of the Ottoman Dynasty from Turkey, Yüksel added, "According to this law, the Ottoman Sultan's assets pass to the nation. In other words, Abdülhamid's grandchildren cannot claim rights under this law."