Turkish Lawmaker Flags Epstein Files, Claims Minors From Turkey Were Trafficked

Newly released documents linked to the United States Department of Justice investigation into Jeffrey Epstein have sparked serious concern in Turkey, after a senior opposition lawmaker claimed the files reference the trafficking of underage girls from multiple countries, including Turkey.

According to ANKA’s reporting, Turhan Çömez, Deputy Group Chair of the İYİ Party, shared details from the newly disclosed material on his social media account. The documents were made public as part of a partial release of Epstein-related records by U.S. authorities.

Allegations Involving Minors From Multiple Regions

Çömez stated that one of the disclosed documents alleges Epstein transported underage girls from Turkey, the Czech Republic, Asia, and several other regions to the United States. According to the document, many of the minors reportedly did not speak English, a detail that was explicitly noted in the files.

Sharing his reaction to the revelations, Çömez described the allegations as deeply disturbing, framing them as a grave violation of human dignity rather than an isolated criminal case.

“The U.S. Department of Justice has made public some information and documents from the Epstein file. These documents state that young girls from Turkey were taken to the abuse island. It is also noted that the children struggled because they did not speak English. In a single word, this is a horrific crime against humanity.”

Document Shared Publicly

Along with his statement, Çömez posted an image of the document he referenced, drawing public attention to the international scope of the alleged trafficking network. The wording in the document suggests that Epstein’s operations extended far beyond the United States, reinforcing long-standing claims that his abuse network functioned on a global scale.

The release has renewed debate over the full extent of Epstein’s activities, which had already drawn worldwide scrutiny following his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges and his death in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial.

A Call Back to Past Warnings

Çömez also connected the new revelations to earlier efforts he says he made while in public office. He noted that years ago, he had submitted a file concerning global child exploitation networks to then–Interior Minister Abdülkadir Aksu, claiming that some suspects were apprehended as a result.

By recalling this episode, Çömez implied that international child abuse networks have long posed a threat that extends across borders and jurisdictions, and that the latest disclosures may represent only a fraction of the whole picture.

Epstein Case Still Reverberating

The Epstein case continues to generate new controversy years after his death. Although U.S. courts have prosecuted some of his associates, critics argue that many questions remain unanswered—particularly regarding the identities of those who may have enabled, financed, or benefited from the alleged trafficking network.

The partial release of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice has intensified calls from human rights advocates and lawmakers worldwide for greater transparency and full disclosure of all remaining files. In Turkey, the claims have added a new and highly sensitive dimension to public debate, given the implication that Turkish minors may have been among the victims.

No Official Confirmation Yet

As of now, the allegations cited by Çömez have not been independently verified by Turkish authorities, nor has Ankara issued an official statement confirming whether any Turkish nationals were formally identified as victims in the Epstein investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice has also not issued country-specific clarifications regarding the documents.

Nevertheless, the claims underscore the transnational nature of human trafficking and child exploitation, highlighting the challenges authorities face when crimes cross multiple legal systems and continents.

Renewed Demands for Accountability

Human rights observers say the disclosures reinforce the need for stronger international cooperation and victim-centered investigations. If substantiated, the allegations could prompt renewed diplomatic and legal engagement between Turkey and U.S. institutions.

For now, Çömez’s statements have brought renewed public attention to one of the most notorious abuse scandals of the modern era—one that continues to cast a long shadow over governments, institutions, and justice systems worldwide.