Network selling Turkish citizenship at 'affordable' prices dismantled: 'State's reputation undermined'

An operation was carried out against a criminal network that sold Turkish citizenship, which is granted on the condition of real estate investment with a lower limit of 400 thousand dollars, at "much more affordable" prices.

While 60 people were detained in the operation, it was understood that the state had been caused billions of liras in losses.

According to the report by Can Bursalı from Sözcü; 60 people who acted as intermediaries for the transactions of foreign nationals who gained the right to Republic of Turkey citizenship in exchange for housing were detained in an Istanbul-based operation. It emerged that the state had been caused billions of TL in losses.

OVER 800 FOREIGNERS

Through the network established by the suspects, over 800 foreigners were made to appear as if they had fulfilled the real estate investment requirement, thereby gaining the right to citizenship.

The luxury vehicles, residences, and bank accounts of the 60 suspects detained in the operation were seized. The summary of proceedings regarding the operation stated that although the price of the real estate was below the legal limit, the crime of forgery was committed by showing them at higher values through real estate agents and appraisal companies.

STATE'S REPUTATION UNDERMINED

The reason for the migrant smuggling charge directed at the suspects was that they enabled a foreigner who did not even have the right to legal residence in Turkey, along with their family, to obtain a Turkish passport. Because the real estate investment that grants the right to Republic of Turkey citizenship was made as a sham, the suspects are also being charged with aggravated fraud. The summary of proceedings also included the finding that the reputation of the state and the prestige of the Turkish passport were undermined at an international level.

News Source: 12punto