Permission to investigate former CMB Chairman İbrahim Ömer Gönül was requested

A new remarkable development took place in the fund investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested permission to investigate former Capital Markets Board (CMB) Chairman İbrahim Ömer Gönül from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance within the scope of the accusation of "abuse of power".

Gönül served as CMB Chairman between April 18, 2022 and April 18, 2026.

HE HAD STATEMENT AS "SUSPECT" DAYS AGO

Gönül's name had come up before in the fund investigation. Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the transactions carried out in the capital market, Gönül testified at the prosecutor's office as a "suspect" on September 30. He left the courthouse after completing his procedures.

Just before the testimony, Gönül also responded to criticism about how the extraordinary value increases in funds and some stocks were not noticed by the CMB.

Claiming that inspections were carried out during his term of office, Gönül stated that high price increases alone would not mean manipulation.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terrorism Financing and Laundering Crimes Investigation Bureau focused on company and fund transactions in the capital market.

In a letter sent to MASAK on September 17, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested the financial data of Pusula Finans Holding, Tera Yatırım Menkul Değerler, Hedef Holding and Bulls Yatırım Menkul Değerler and the managers and officials of their subsidiaries to be examined.

The investigation file was also reflected in the CMB letter containing the findings of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office that there was a strong suspicion of market fraud and criminal proceeds being obtained through some transactions carried out in the capital market.

131 FUND PROCESSING CLOSED

Following the crisis, CMB, with its decision dated September 17, closed 131 investment funds belonging to 7 portfolio management companies to trading through TEFAS and started the liquidation process. The funds in question were within Tera, Pusula, Hedef, Atlas, A1, Pardus and Bulls Portföy.

Within the scope of the investigation, operations were also carried out against company managers and capital market actors. Judicial proceedings were taken against people including Tera Portföy CEO Emir Münir Sarpyener and Tera Portföy Chairman of the Board Erdin Özel.