President Erdoğan issues tax exemption for his son's foundation

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a tax exemption for one of his son Bilal Erdoğan's foundations in April, the daily BirGün reported on June 30. The latest addition ensures that all seven of Erdoğan's foundations are exempt from tax payments.

Wednesday June 30 2021 12:34 pm

Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued tax exemptions for two foundations, one of which is directed by his son Bilal Erdoğan, the daily BirGün reported on June 30.

Foundations are a common method of wealth redistribution for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), with the president's allies often leading organizations that are granted financial benefits by the state, namely tax exemptions and funds.

The president reportedly added Bilal Erdoğan's Human and Irfan Foundation to the Treasury and Finance Ministry's list of foundations exempt from taxes on April 21.

Meanwhile, the chair of Human and Irfan Foundation's board of trustees is Erdoğan's wife's uncle Fatih Çıtlak, a professor of religious studies.

The Human and Irfan Foundation's office building was also given to the organization by the AKP-run Üsküdar Municipality in 2015. The president has issued tax exemptions to all seven of his son's foundations since 2011.

Another foundation granted a tax exemption by the president was revealed to be chaired by Nezahat Berna Yılmaz, wife of former Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz from the AKP.