Soylu gives name of politician on Turkish mafia leader's payroll to prosecutors

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu on June 17 gave the name of the politician who he said is on Turkish mafia leader Sedat Peker's payroll to the prosecutors. The minister reportedly said that the politician is currently not a deputy.

Thursday June 17 2021 02:09 pm

Duvar English

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu on June 17 gave the name of the politician who he said is on mafia leader Sedat Peker's payroll to prosecutors.

Soylu last month said that a politician receives $10,000 a month from Peker without giving the person's name, triggering a debate on who is on the mafia leader's payroll.

The minister's remarks came after Peker accused Soylu of committing various crimes.

While opposition politicians repeatedly asked Soylu to reveal the name, the minister, as well as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has been silent on the issue.

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu previously called on Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop to reveal the name and said that his silence would mean that he is the one receiving the money.

Şentop then slammed Kılıçdaroğlu for making the suggestion, adding that it was the minister himself who could reveal the name.

He also said that he wrote a letter to Soylu to ask for all the necessary information on the issue in order for the relevant judicial proceedings to start.

Soylu and Şentop held a 30-minute meeting on June 16, but no statement was released on the issue.

A day later, Soylu conveyed the name to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and reportedly said that the politician is currently not a deputy.

Commenting on the issue, Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül said that the judiciary's duty is to look into the allegations.

"The doors of the courthouses are open for anyone to give document," he said.