AK Party Expels Former Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya Over Fund Probe

The AK Party expelled former Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya on October 7 after her name surfaced in a fund manipulation investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. General Secretary Eyyüp Kadir İnan announced that Kaya is no longer a party member or affiliate, stating the decision followed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's instructions and internal party reviews.

Kaya had previously resigned from all party duties and returned all revenues obtained from the investigated funds to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF). Her husband, İlyas Kaya, was also questioned in the probe. İnan emphasized that the party's political decision is final, while the legal process continues independently in the judiciary.

“Whoever commits wrongdoing, whoever distances themselves from our moral values of 25 years, we are a party that immediately puts distance. Our President both taught and instructed this.”

Speaking on NTV on October 9, İnan hardened the party's stance, declaring that Kaya can never be a "case partner" and that anyone distancing themselves from the party's moral values is immediately sidelined. He cited the President's leadership in enforcing this zero-tolerance approach.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek's findings revealed 141 individuals and 73 companies made record profits, with 214 people earning over 100 million lira. Three funds yielded a total of 187.653 billion lira in gains. Nearly 150 suspects were identified, 80 of whom have been arrested, with assets seized.

İnan added that bureaucratic negligence or complicity will also be pursued. A special economic committee headed by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz has been established to oversee the process. A nine-article bill was submitted to Parliament on October 9 to strengthen the legal framework.