Minister of Justice Gürlek: 5th wave operation was launched against the Friends Association

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, in his statement on his NSosyal account, stated that turning the pain experienced in earthquakes and the sense of solidarity of citizens into personal interests will not be tolerated.

Announcing that the 5th wave operation was launched by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department regarding the fate of the earthquake donations collected through the Friends Association, under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Gürlek noted that the operation was carried out in line with the Ministry of Internal Affairs inspector and special audit reports, the association's financial records, inventory, bank movements, expert examinations and the statements of the suspects who benefited from effective remorse.

"They collected 4.3 billion liras in donations and withdrew 950 million liras in cash."

Drawing attention to the data obtained in the investigation, Gürlek shared the following information:

"It was determined that between February 6 and December 31, 2023, 4.3 billion liras of donations were collected to be delivered to our earthquake victims, 4.2 billion liras of which were spent, 950 million liras were withdrawn in cash, and one of these withdrawals was 500 million liras at a time. A total of 1 billion 757 million 547 thousand 770 liras were transferred to 29 companies and 7 private companies, and some high-amount expenditures were made." "It was determined that no goods or services were purchased in return, personal benefit was gained from the transportation of aid, and some aid was delivered to public institutions less than stated in the invoices."

Gürlek informed that in line with all the findings, a simultaneous operation was organized in 20 provinces centered in Istanbul to capture 53 suspects, and emphasized that the real commercial activities of the companies to which money was transferred were also examined.

Stating that it was determined that hundreds of tents, wheelchairs, electric bicycles, stationery products and various aid materials provided for earthquake victims were kept unused in warehouses in Izmit, Gürlek stated that the necessary procedures have been initiated to deliver these materials to their rightful owners.

Minister Gürlek thanked the judicial authorities and police officers who conducted the investigation and said, "Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we will continue to use all the possibilities of the state of law with determination against the exploitation of the good will, helpfulness of our citizens and the spirit of solidarity of our nation." made his assessment.