Former minister and husband questioned in Özata Denizcilik fund probe

After leaving the Justice and Development Party, former minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya and her husband İlyas Kaya appeared for questioning on Oct. 7 as suspects in a fund investigation linked to Özava Denizcilik share dealings. Kaya disclosed that she purchased roughly 250,000 lots of the company's shares in April 2026, later selling them in August and September, and that the sale proceeds were temporarily invested in a Tera fund before being transferred to a Savings Deposit Insurance Fund-designated account.

She rejected any claim of receiving guidance or insider tips. İlyas Kaya also denied any external direction in his investment choices and said he moved the gains to the same designated account after the probe became public. Authorities are reviewing their statements alongside financial records, transaction timing, and fund movements, and the Capital Markets Board is anticipated to file a criminal complaint.