Turkey detains former minister in fund scandal

Turkish authorities and an Istanbul court

Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, a former minister and senior AK Party politician, was arrested and remanded in custody pending trial in an investigation into a multi-billion-dollar investment fund scandal. The court charged her with violating capital markets law and membership in an organization established to commit crimes. Her husband was released on condition that he regularly report to police. Turkey arrested a former deputy chairwoman of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Party in an investigation into funds, making her the first senior politician explicitly caught up in the scandal that has rocked the country’s markets. State-run Anadolu Agency and other domestic media reported that a Turkish court jailed a former minister and senior party member early Friday.

Nov 6, 2026

Istanbul, Turkey

The detention was part of an investigation into a multi-billion-dollar investment fund scandal. Yeni Party Chairman Zeynel Emre accused Kaya and her husband of receiving 2.17 billion lira after reportedly investing 163 million lira and selling shares before suspected price manipulation triggered a stock-market crisis. The financial regulator dissolved 131 funds.