Minister Gürlek: Voluntary Return of Funds Does Not Remove Legal Liability in Fund Probe

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said in a statement on the fund investigations that the voluntary return of money does not remove legal liability. Gürlek said the investigations will continue even though returns have been made.

The voluntary return of money does not remove legal liability.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek

Returns to be examined

Gürlek said allegations against the individuals concerned will be assessed legally in line with the evidence. The minister said the priority is getting the returned amounts to the rightful owners, and that the source, timing and amount of the returns and the way they reach the rightful owners will be examined meticulously. He stressed that the returns, which help redress grievances, do not prevent the conduct of the investigations or the assessment of evidence.

Asset measures

Gürlek announced that, within the investigations led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, protective measures have been applied to the assets of natural and legal persons deemed linked to the transactions under investigation, in order to prevent assets from being smuggled out, transferred or concealed and to safeguard the rights of good-faith investors. He said that if new information, documents and evidence emerge and legal conditions are met, the relevant judicial authorities will also apply additional asset measures.

The minister said they will work resolutely so that no unlawful act goes unanswered, grievances are redressed and justice is fully served.

Background

On 17 September, the Capital Markets Board (SPK) decided to liquidate 131 investment funds belonging to seven portfolio management companies. Some of the funds had defaulted. The liquidation process is to be carried out by İş Bankası and Ziraat Bankası and is expected to take six months.