Former Rector Ünsal Ban Escapes to Greece Despite Travel Ban: Corruption and “Golden Visa” Trail Revealed

Ünsal Ban, former Rector of the Turkish Aeronautical Association University and ex-husband of AK Party Erzurum MP Zehra Taşkesenlioğlu, has reportedly fled Türkiye and successfully crossed into Greece, despite being under multiple travel bans. According to NOW TV, Ban was subject to three separate court orders prohibiting him from leaving the country, yet managed to evade border control and exit Türkiye.

From “Golden Visa” to Greek Citizenship

Investigations reveal that Ban had been living part-time in Greece for several years under the country’s “Golden Visa” program, which grants residence permits to foreign nationals who invest in property. Sources now confirm that Ban completed the five-year requirement, obtained Greek citizenship, and was issued a Greek passport, giving him the legal right to reside and travel within the European Union.

This revelation sparked outrage in Ankara, as Ban had previously been caught in 2022 while attempting to flee to Greece via Fethiye. After being detained and jailed, he was released under “effective remorse” provisions, only to have three separate courts issue international travel bans against him following his release. His latest escape marks the second time he has violated those restrictions.

A Web of Scandals: Bribery, Market Manipulation, and Illicit Gains

Ban’s name first emerged in one of Türkiye’s most high-profile corruption and financial manipulation scandals, which also involved former Capital Markets Board (SPK) Chairman Ali Fuat Taşkesenlioğlu and his then-wife Zehra Taşkesenlioğlu, now a member of Parliament. The trio faced allegations of stock market manipulation, bribery, and abuse of public office, allegedly influencing capital increase processes of several publicly listed companies in exchange for personal gain.

Ban is currently facing four separate criminal cases related to bribery, money laundering, and unlawful enrichment. Financial watchdogs allege that he funneled illicit funds through shell companies and offshore accounts, while leveraging political connections to shield those activities from scrutiny.

A Familiar Name in Sedat Peker’s Explosive Revelations

Ban’s name was also prominently featured in the online disclosures of Sedat Peker, a Turkish organized crime figure currently living in exile. In a series of viral posts and videos, Peker accused Ban of being a central figure in a political-corruption network connected to the Taşkesenlioğlu family. Peker’s allegations reignited public debate about the intersection of politics, finance, and organized influence networks in Türkiye, placing Ban at the heart of those claims.

Questions Over Enforcement and Oversight

Ban’s ability to flee Türkiye despite multiple judicial bans has raised serious questions about border security and the enforcement of court restrictions. Legal experts note that individuals under travel bans are typically flagged in both judicial and immigration databases, making such an escape “virtually impossible without assistance or serious oversight failures.” Opposition figures have called for a parliamentary inquiry into how Ban was able to cross into Greece and whether institutional negligence or protection played a role.

Political and Legal Fallout

The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of corruption allegations within political circles, with Ban’s escape seen as an embarrassment for both the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. It also complicates ongoing legal proceedings, as Ban is now beyond the jurisdiction of Turkish courts. Authorities are reportedly exploring extradition options, though Ban’s Greek citizenship could shield him from deportation under EU law.

As public reaction intensifies, Ban’s flight has become a symbol of elite impunity—a stark example, critics say, of how politically connected figures can evade accountability while ongoing corruption cases drag on.