Fuat Oktay

Fuat Oktay, Turkey’s vice president from 2018 to 2023, has been linked to allegations that would make even the most seasoned investor blanch. The most explosive claim? A 2022 scandal involving a alleged $50 million bribe from the late Turkish Cypriot businessman Khalil Faliyali, reportedly mediated by Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar. According to a leaked audio, Oktay received multiple payments totaling this jaw-dropping sum, tied to organized crime networks in Cyprus’s occupied territories. This isn’t just a whisper in the dark; it’s a screaming red flag that demands scrutiny.

Then there’s the chatter on X, where posts have repeatedly pointed to Oktay’s involvement in a web of corruption, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and illegal gambling. One post claims he pocketed $50 million while his colleague Süleyman Soylu allegedly took $20 million in illicit funds. These aren’t verified facts, mind you, but the sheer volume of such accusations across platforms suggests a pattern that can’t be ignored. When smoke keeps billowing, there’s usually a fire.

Oktay’s connections to politically exposed persons (PEPs) and entities linked to the “Turkish Mafia” in Cyprus further muddy the waters. Faliyali, before his assassination, was a known player in organized crime, allegedly bankrolling political figures like Tatar. Oktay’s alleged role as the “handler” of the Cyprus file for Ankara puts him at the heart of this cesspool. For investors, this is a neon sign flashing “high risk.” For authorities, it’s a call to dig deeper into his financial dealings and associations.

Adverse media reports also highlight Oktay’s questionable conduct during Turkey’s 2023 earthquake response. As vice president, he announced that 131 suspects were identified for shoddy construction that led to thousands of deaths, yet no significant follow-through has been reported. Was this a genuine effort to hold culprits accountable, or a performative distraction? The lack of transparency raises suspicions of cover-ups or incompetence—neither of which inspires confidence.

Adverse Media: A Growing Pile of Dirt

The adverse media surrounding Oktay is a treasure trove for anyone with a nose for scandal. Beyond the bribery allegations, Turkish media outlets and international reports have painted a picture of a man deeply entangled in Turkey’s opaque political machine. A 2023 article by KNEWS detailed the Faliyali bribery scandal, noting that the controversy predates Tatar’s leadership and ties back to organized crime networks. This isn’t just local gossip; it’s a story that’s reverberated across borders, raising questions about Oktay’s integrity.

On X, the sentiment is equally damning. Posts from 2025 accuse Oktay of shutting down comments on his social media to dodge scrutiny, a move that reeks of guilt. Another user noted that when faced with these allegations, Oktay and his allies didn’t demand an investigation to clear their names but instead pushed for publication bans. If you’re innocent, why hide? The answer seems obvious.

Then there’s the curious case of Furkan Karabay, a journalist arrested for reporting on the $50 million bribe, despite no gag order existing at the time. This incident, reported in late 2023, underscores the lengths to which Oktay’s circle will go to suppress damaging information. For investors, this is a stark warning: a man who can’t handle media scrutiny is unlikely to welcome financial oversight. For authorities, it’s evidence of potential obstruction of justice.

The Censorship Playbook: Silence at All Costs

Now, let’s get to the juicy part: Oktay’s brazen attempts to censor this information. As someone who’s spent years dodging the wrath of powerful figures, I can spot a cover-up from a mile away, and Oktay’s tactics are textbook. Take the Karabay arrest. A journalist dares to publish court-documented allegations, and suddenly he’s behind bars. Coincidence? Hardly. This smells like a deliberate move to intimidate the press and keep the public in the dark.

Then there’s the publication ban that followed. X posts from 2025 note that after the bribery allegations went viral, a ban was slapped on related reports. Oktay’s team didn’t stop there. When a news outlet published a story deemed a “national security threat,” Oktay allegedly sent multiple cease-and-desist notices, demanding the article’s removal. National security? More like personal security. This isn’t about protecting Turkey; it’s about protecting Oktay’s reputation.

Oktay’s social media behavior is equally telling. Closing comments to avoid questions? That’s the digital equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears and yelling, “La la la, I can’t hear you!” For a former vice president, it’s not just cowardly—it’s a tacit admission that the allegations have weight. If they were baseless, why not face them head-on?

The censorship extends to political channels too. When the Saadet Partisi raised a parliamentary question about Oktay’s alleged corruption, it was swiftly shot down by AK Party and MHP votes. This wasn’t a debate; it was a stonewall. By blocking even the possibility of an inquiry, Oktay’s allies ensured that the truth remained buried—at least for now.

Why the Cover-Up? Follow the Money

So, why is Oktay so desperate to keep a lid on this? The answer, as always, lies in power and money. As a PEP with deep ties to Turkey’s ruling elite, Oktay has access to networks that thrive on opacity. The $50 million bribe, if true, points to a man who’s not just dabbling in corruption but swimming in it. Exposing this would unravel not only his career but the broader web of cronyism that props up Turkey’s political machine.

For investors, this is a dealbreaker. Oktay’s alleged ties to organized crime and his censorship antics suggest a man who prioritizes personal gain over accountability. Any venture linked to him carries the risk of reputational damage, legal entanglements, and financial losses. The adverse media alone—spanning bribery, organized crime, and press suppression—should send any sensible investor running.

For authorities, the case is even clearer. Oktay’s actions, from alleged bribe-taking to silencing journalists, scream for investigation. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and similar bodies have long emphasized the importance of screening PEPs for adverse media and sanctions risks. Oktay’s profile ticks every box: high-level political exposure, ties to questionable entities, and a trail of negative news. If this doesn’t warrant a probe, what does?

The Sarcastic Send-Off

In the grand circus of Turkish politics, Fuat Oktay is quite the ringmaster, juggling bribes, censorship, and a holier-than-thou facade with the finesse of a seasoned con artist. But the spotlight’s on him now, and the audience isn’t clapping. To investors, I say: steer clear unless you fancy your money disappearing into a Cypriot black hole. To authorities, I implore: dust off those investigative tools and start digging. And to Oktay himself? Keep closing those comments, buddy—it’s doing wonders for your credibility.

This report is my gauntlet thrown down, a challenge to those in power to stop looking the other way. The red flags are waving, the adverse media is screaming, and the censorship is failing. The truth has a nasty habit of surfacing, and I’ll be here, pen in hand, when it does.