Politics
Bolu charity funneled millions with pet food purchases, report finds
Turkish investigators probing corruption at the northwestern Bolu Municipality say millions of liras intended for student scholarships were instead spent on cat and dog food, possibly to funnel or conceal funds through a local charity associated with jailed Mayor Tanju Özcan, according to a financial report.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) said Tuesday that the Bolu Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation (BOLSEV) transferred TL 6.8 million ($155,000) to Manisa-based Hermos Gıda in 2025 and purchased over TL 10 million ($227,000) in pet food, despite the foundation’s stated mission to support students.
Auditors noted that roughly half of the food was returned, generating TL 5 million ($114,000) in return invoices, a pattern MASAK called “notable” and inconsistent with charitable purposes.
MASAK found that of TL 116.8 million ($2.6 million) in revenue for 2024–2025, only TL 11.9 million ($271,000) went to student scholarships.
The foundation also purchased four new vehicles valued at more than TL 11.3 million ($257,000).
The irregular spending could trigger criminal charges, including embezzlement and misuse of public or charitable funds, and investigators are examining links to companies previously flagged for tax irregularities.
The report also examined transactions by Özcan’s son, Can Özcan, whose high-volume financial activity was deemed “inconsistent” with his age and professional experience.
MASAK concluded the unusual spending patterns highlight the potential diversion of charitable funds for purposes unrelated to the foundation’s mission, raising serious concerns in the ongoing corruption probe.
Özcan and his deputy were arrested earlier in March in an investigation into alleged extortion by coercion at his municipality. The mayor has since been suspended from office.
CHP-run municipalities across Türkiye are mired in corruption allegations. Most cases have been in Istanbul. The city’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu, was arrested in March 2025 in a wide-ranging probe where he is accused of running a criminal network thriving on bribes and tender-rigging.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chaired a meeting of his Cabinet on Tuesday. The first meeting of ministers after two weeks focuses on the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war and the economic situation.
Media outlets reported that the main agenda of the meeting was the conflict that raged across the region and how Iran responded to the attacks of the U.S. and Israel. Türkiye itself saw several missiles landing on its territories, though Iran denied firing them. The incoming missiles intercepted by NATO batteries will also be on the agenda of the meeting, and the government will review air defense measures.
The global and regional economic impacts of the war will be discussed in detail during the meeting. The rise in oil prices and its repercussions on the Turkish economy will be evaluated. Additional measures that can be taken to counter the pressure of rising costs on inflation and to maintain price stability are also among the important topics of the meeting.
Media outlets reported that the country was monitoring Greece’s military moves in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean, and reports of arms shipments to “demilitarized” Greek islands in the Aegean will also be discussed.
Additionally, the meeting will evaluate the work carried out in the terror-free Türkiye initiative for the disarmament of the terrorist group PKK. Legal steps to carry the initiative forward, which will be on the agenda of the Turkish Parliament in the coming days, will also be discussed.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
The Ministry of National Defense announced on Wednesday that Minister Yaşar Güler, currently in the U.K., signed a technical, logistical agreement for the maintenance and operation of Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
The deal was finalized in London during a visit between the Turkish minister and British Defense Secretary John Healey.
The agreement focuses on technical and logistical support for the aircraft under the Eurofighter Typhoon Project, said a statement by the Turkish ministry. During their talks in the capital, the two defense chiefs also discussed broader cooperation.
Officials confirmed that a separate contract covering the procurement of aircraft, equipment and munitions linked to the program had already been signed last October.
The latest agreement is intended to ensure the long-term maintenance and operational readiness of the jets. Both sides said they were committed to further strengthening defense collaboration in the coming years. Last year, Türkiye signed a deal with the U.K. to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.
Britain, a leading partner in the Eurofighter program, has been Türkiye’s most vocal supporter, and the agreement followed months of negotiations between the two capitals after Türkiye overcame a German veto on the sale in 2024.
Türkiye’s interest in the Typhoon was first reported in 2022, as Ankara grew frustrated with prolonged negotiations over the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets from the U.S.
In late 2024, Türkiye finalized a $7 billion deal with Washington for 40 F-16s. But talks have reportedly been dogged by Turkish concerns over pricing and its renewed interest in returning to the F-35 program.
Türkiye was excluded from the U.S.-led F-35 program in 2019 following its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Since then, Ankara has repeatedly described the decision as unfair and has expressed hope that the issue could be resolved during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan raised the issue during the September meeting with Trump at the White House. Last month, Trump said the U.S. was “very seriously” considering the sale of F-35s to Türkiye.
Despite fielding NATO’s second-largest military, Türkiye has faced repeated arms embargoes by its allies in past decades, prompting it to accelerate efforts to reduce foreign dependence and expand domestic defense production.
Today, the country manufactures a wide range of military platforms, including drones, missiles and naval vessels, and is developing its own fifth-generation fighter jet.
The indigenous stealth aircraft, known as Kaan, is intended to eventually replace the air force’s aging F-16 fleet, which is expected to begin phasing out in the 2030s.
Türkiye has been vigilant in boosting its defenses as multiple threats have emerged to its security in the region. The ongoing war targeting its neighbor Iran, occasional hostile rhetoric from Greece, which disputes Türkiye’s maritime rights, the threat of terrorism, and veiled threats by Israel pushed Türkiye to strengthen its defense systems.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a message in Turkish on Wednesday to express his gratitude to his “dear brother” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for his resolute stand in condemning the aggressive Zionist regime.
“Brotherly Turkish nation played an important role in solidarity with the Muslim ummah for years. We will continue this honorable path together, with divine blessings,” he said in a tweet as the US-Israel-Iran war raged across the region.
In a separate tweet, Pezeshkian said that “many countries” were experiencing an awakening. “The people of Pakistan, Türkiye, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Arab countries are loudly expressing their disgust for America, Israel and their crimes. The hearts of the free people of the world are not with the Zionists. Stability in the region is possible only through cooperation and respect for the will of the nations,” he said in a tweet in Farsi.
The war led by Israel against regional countries is imposing a growing cost on the entire world, Erdoğan said Tuesday, warning that escalating tensions, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, are pushing the global economy into turmoil, as its consequences are being felt far beyond the Middle East.
“As the war drags on, new complications continue to emerge,” Erdoğan told a news conference after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, pointing to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a development that has already caused serious turbulence in the global economy.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the waterway, through which roughly 20% of global energy trade passes, Erdoğan warned that disruptions have forced some countries to take measures to reduce fuel consumption.
He emphasized that the economic burden of the conflict is growing by the day, underlining the urgent need to bring the war to an end.
Erdoğan also called for immediate action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his circle, describing them as responsible for ongoing violence and urging all countries to adopt a bold and proactive stance for the sake of regional peace and humanity.
Türkiye, he said, has been among the countries accurately assessing the developments and acting with “state wisdom,” while maintaining a balanced and principled position.
“We are determined to keep our country outside the ring of fire,” Erdoğan added, warning against the risk of the conflict turning into a prolonged war of attrition among regional states.
He stressed that Türkiye does not want to see the conflict expand further, reiterating Ankara’s call for de-escalation and a swift resolution.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has written the foreword to a new book titled “Nevruz: The Common Heritage of the Turkic World,” emphasizing the holiday’s role as a symbol of shared identity, unity and cultural continuity across the Turkic world.
The volume brings together academic contributions examining Nevruz’s historical, cultural and social significance across a vast geography stretching from Central Asia to the Balkans.
In his foreword, Erdoğan described history not merely as a chronological record of past events but as a living memory that shapes nations and guides their future. He stressed that a strong attachment to cultural roots and shared values has been one of the most important elements sustaining the Turkish nation through centuries.
Highlighting Nevruz as a unifying tradition, Erdoğan said the spring festival celebrated for generations across a broad cultural landscape from the Adriatic to the Great Wall of China represents far more than the arrival of spring. It symbolizes renewal, resilience and solidarity, he noted.
“Nevruz is not a day of division but of unity, togetherness and brotherhood,” Erdoğan said, adding that the holiday reflects the enduring spirit of a shared civilization and collective identity spanning millions of people.
The president also referenced historical challenges faced by the Turkic and Islamic world, including periods marked by assimilation policies and cultural suppression. He said those hardships had been overcome and framed recent developments as part of a broader revival of cultural and political cooperation among Turkic nations.
Erdoğan pointed to the growing role of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), describing it as a platform that has transformed longstanding cultural ties into a more structured and influential international framework. He also cited the “2040 Vision of the Turkic World” as a roadmap for deepening cooperation in areas ranging from politics and economy to energy and regional connectivity.
Emphasizing education and culture as the foundation of lasting unity, Erdoğan noted joint academic efforts, including shared curricula, publications and institutional cooperation, would help foster a common historical consciousness among younger generations.
He underlined initiatives such as publishing classical works in a common Turkic alphabet and strengthening collaboration among universities and research institutions.
Drawing on shared cultural figures such as Ahmet Yesevi and Yunus Emre, Erdoğan said Turkic nations remain bound by common values, emotions and aspirations. He added that this sense of unity is reflected in collective responses to regional developments, from humanitarian concerns to geopolitical events.
The book features 33 articles written by 36 academics from Türkiye and abroad, offering a comprehensive examination of Nevruz’s historical roots and contemporary significance. It is expected to be released to readers in the coming days and is described as one of the leading works on the subject.
Erdoğan concluded by expressing hope that the publication would strengthen cultural awareness, inspire younger generations and contribute to what he described as the “Century of Türkiye” and the “Era of the Turkic World.”
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
Turkish police detained nine suspects in coordinated raids in Istanbul and Yalova on Tuesday over allegations of financing the Daesh terrorist group, authorities announced.
The suspects are accused of transferring money to families of Daesh members operating in conflict zones, according to a statement by the Istanbul Police Department’s counterterrorism unit. The operation was carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office following an investigation into the group’s financial network.
Police said simultaneous raids were conducted at multiple addresses, where officers seized digital materials, organizational documents and records related to money transfers.
The suspects were taken into custody for further questioning.
In a separate case in southern Türkiye, prosecutors have filed charges against a defendant identified as H.A., who was arrested in January in Adana on accusations of channeling funds to Daesh members. An indictment accepted by the Adana 2nd High Criminal Court seeks a prison sentence ranging from 12 years and six months to 25 years on charges including membership in an armed terrorist organization and violating laws on the prevention of terrorism financing.
According to the indictment, H.A. allegedly collected money to support Daesh activities and transferred funds to militants. Financial investigators said the suspect facilitated transfers totaling TL 141,490 (more than $3,000) through bank accounts linked to other suspects.
Türkiye considers the Daesh terrorist group one of the biggest threats to the country’s security and peace and was one of the first countries to declare it a terrorist group in 2013.
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler was in London on Tuesday as the official guest of Secretary of State for Defense John Healey.
The ministry’s sources said the visit would focus on cooperation in bilateral matters, particularly regional defense and security, and the defense industry.
Güler, who will also visit the manufacturing facilities of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, will discuss the acquisition of jets with Healey as well.
Türkiye last October signed an agreement worth around 8 billion pounds ($10.7 billion) covering the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoons from the United Kingdom. Ankara also plans to acquire 12 secondhand Typhoons from Qatar and 12 from Oman.
The first aircraft from the U.K. batch is expected to be delivered in 2030, while the agreement includes an option for Türkiye to purchase additional jets.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is produced by a four-nation consortium involving the U.K., Germany, Italy and Spain, represented by defense firms BAE Systems, Airbus and Leonardo.
“Developments both in Europe and the Middle East have once again demonstrated how important solidarity among allies is. We are also pleased with Germany’s positive stance regarding the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. We sincerely hope this policy will continue in other areas of cooperation in the defense industry as well,” Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in a joint press conference with his German counterpart earlier this month.
Türkiye’s interest in the Typhoon was first reported in 2022, as Ankara grew frustrated with prolonged negotiations over the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets from the United States.
In late 2024, Türkiye finalized a $7 billion deal with Washington for 40 F-16s. But talks have reportedly been dogged by Turkish concerns over pricing and its renewed interest in returning to the F-35 program.
Türkiye was excluded from the U.S.-led F-35 program in 2019 following its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Since then, Ankara has repeatedly described the decision as unfair and has expressed hope that the issue could be resolved during U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan raised the issue during the September meeting with Trump at the White House. Last month, Trump said the U.S. was “very seriously” considering the sale of F-35s to Türkiye.
Despite fielding NATO’s second-largest military, Türkiye has faced repeated arms embargoes by its allies in past decades, prompting it to accelerate efforts to reduce foreign dependence and expand domestic defense production.
Today, the country manufactures a wide range of military platforms, including drones, missiles and naval vessels, and is developing its own fifth-generation fighter jet.
The indigenous stealth aircraft, known as Kaan, is intended to eventually replace the air force’s aging F-16 fleet, which is expected to begin phasing out in the 2030s.
Türkiye has been vigilant in boosting its defenses as multiple threats have emerged to its security in the region. The ongoing war targeting its neighbor Iran, occasional hostile rhetoric from Greece, which disputes Türkiye’s maritime rights, the threat of terrorism, and veiled threats by Israel pushed Türkiye to strengthen its defense systems.
Turkish defense companies have signed $6.5 billion (TL 288.24 billion) worth of contracts to reinforce and develop Türkiye’s integrated, multilayered “Steel Dome” air defense system, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) announced last November. Announced in August 2024, the Steel Dome aims to provide integrated protection against low, medium and high-altitude threats through land-based and sea-based air defense platforms and sensors developed at home.
The architecture crowns years of investments that have helped Türkiye transform from a nation heavily reliant on equipment from abroad to one where homegrown systems meet almost all of its defense industry needs. It foresees integration of locally developed missile batteries, radars, electro-optical sensors, communications modules, and command-and-control centers.
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