TÜRKİYE ORTA ASYA HABER KKUORDİNATÖRÜ

(QUOTED FROM NORWAY.NEWS) IFJ - INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JOURNALISM: Worldpres WORLD TURKISH NEWS: Worldpres WORLD TURKISH NEWS.Worldpres The stock market and fund scandal that erupted in Türkiye's financial markets, affecting hundreds of thousands of investors and billions of dollars in funds, has created a huge wave of hardship among Turkish citizens living both domestically and abroad. The losses suffered by expatriates, particularly those living in Europe (such as Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands) who entrusted their hard-earned savings to Turkish funds, portfolio management companies, or stocks, further highlight the humanitarian dimension and gravity of the issue. The Grievances of Turkish Citizens Living Abroad and the Discussions on the Issue Turkish citizens living abroad generally rely on Türkiye's financial system and regulatory mechanisms to manage their savings, but in the event of such major collapses, they face much greater difficulties in seeking their rights or obtaining reliable information due to geographical distance. • Insufficient Information Flow: The inability of affected citizens to find a clear point of contact in Türkiye, the delaying tactics and continued uncertainty stemming from promises of payment, cause immense psychological and financial devastation for those who have lost their savings. • Political Dimension and Criticisms: The opposition and independent analysts argue that despite the enormous scale of the scandal (billions of liras in funds liquidated, dozens of arrests), government representatives and the economic administration have not adequately addressed the issue. The involvement of certain figures or politicians from the ruling bloc in these transactions, and the subsequent resignations/silence, are fueling criticism and anger in the public sphere, with some believing that "an attempt is being made to cover up the incident" and that "the agenda is being shifted with artificial debates to make the victims forgotten." A Warning and Firm Approach to Financial Security and Victimization A financial scandal of this magnitude is not merely an individual case of fraud; it is a severe blow to a country's capital markets, regulatory bodies (SPK, BDDK, etc.), and the credibility of the state as a whole. 1. Lack of Supervision and Systemic Responsibility: Turning a blind eye to or failing to detect in time the erosion of hundreds of thousands of people's savings in "Ponzi"-like structures or manipulative funds clearly demonstrates a neglect of duty by regulatory bodies. The most fundamental duty of the state and economic administration is to protect the financial security of its citizens (whether domestic or abroad). 2. Protecting Those Responsible is Unacceptable: Regardless of where the scandal leads and which political authority it involves, the matter must be pursued resolutely. Using political influence to slow down investigations, facilitating the transfer of assets abroad, or allowing those responsible to evade accountability completely destroys faith in justice. 3. The Rights of Expatriates Cannot Be Ignored: The evaporation of money accumulated through hard work and years of effort, and the abandonment of expatriate citizens to their fate, is unacceptable. The media and economic administration's disregard for the voices of expatriates further deepens the humanitarian dimension of this scandal. "Skipping the ball" or trying to make people forget about it by dragging out the process will not resolve the grievances; on the contrary, it will irreversibly destroy trust in the state and the system. Legal Avenues and Necessary Actions In such cases, it is critically important for victims to initiate legal proceedings without delay: • Formal Criminal Complaints: Victimized expatriate citizens should apply to the main investigation files conducted directly by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office through their lawyers or consulates in Türkiye and file criminal complaints. • Applications to the Capital Markets Board (SPK) and Institutional Appeals: It is important to document entitlement by submitting official petitions to the Capital Markets Board (SPK) and the relevant liquidation committees. • Public Awareness: Loudly voicing the grievances through expatriate associations, independent media outlets, and legal platforms is one of the most effective tools to prevent the issue from being covered up. The only way out of this crisis of confidence is to ensure that those responsible are punished severely, that the embezzled assets are frozen and returned to the victims, and that the oversight mechanisms are radically reformed.