Türkiye Rocked by Seized-Goods Scandal: Top Official and Son Jailed in Illegal Sales Scheme

Türkiye is grappling with a significant public scandal after İstanbul Deputy Provincial Environment Director Müzeyyen Yazıcı and her son were arrested for allegedly diverting customs-seized goods—items that were legally required to be destroyed—and selling them through a separate storage facility they reportedly rented for this purpose.
The case intensified when it emerged that Yazıcı is the aunt of Deputy Justice Minister Mehmet Yılmaz, prompting widespread political reaction. Yılmaz quickly issued a statement distancing himself, stating that he had not spoken to his aunt in 30 years.

“I Delivered the Goods to AKP” — Explosive Testimony

According to reporting by BirGün journalist Timur Soykan, the scandal escalated further after Yazıcı’s testimony before the Criminal Court of Peace.
In her statement, Yazıcı said:

“I delivered the incoming goods to the AK Party’s social affairs unit. These were sent to municipalities through official correspondence.”

Her claim that state-seized goods were handed over to the ruling party’s organizations sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Yazıcı denied all criminal accusations but insisted that the transfers were part of an established process.

Fake Luxury Goods Found in Her Home

Following her arrest, investigators searched Yazıcı’s home and discovered a significant quantity of counterfeit luxury watches, handbags, and other branded goods.
Other warehouse employees, who were also questioned, stated that Yazıcı frequently arrived at the storage site and loaded selected items into her vehicle, taking them away personally.

Massive Stockpile of “Destroyed” Goods Discovered

The largest cache, however, was uncovered at a storage facility in Gebze, Kocaeli, which Yazıcı allegedly instructed her son Ahmet Yazıcı to rent.
Inside were truckloads of goods recorded as “destroyed” in official documents.

Investigators say Müzeyyen Yazıcı and her son had been selling these items through a Syrian intermediary, identified as Omar Baroudji, distributing them on the local market.
Shockingly, many seized items still carried:

• Official investigation numbers

• Names of the law-enforcement officers who conducted the seizure

• Documentation showing they had allegedly been transferred to AKP-run municipalities for distribution to people in need

In reality, investigators now believe these transfers never occurred and that the paperwork was falsified.

Will the Investigation Reach Municipalities?

Although many seized goods were listed as delivered to AKP municipalities, the probe has not yet expanded to include those local administrations.
Current findings suggest the goods may have been falsely documented as handed over, but officials have not yet stated whether municipal employees or political figures will be investigated.

Warehouse Staff: “We Thought These Went to Needy Families”

Two warehouse workers told investigators that they had acted on Yazıcı’s instructions and believed the goods were being legitimately transferred to municipalities.
They claim they did not know the products were being resold:

“We thought the items were being distributed to people in need. She told us the Provincial Deputy Director was aware of the process.”

Authorities confirmed that there is no current evidence to suggest these employees participated in the sale of the goods.

A Growing Corruption Scandal

The case now spans:

• A senior Environment Ministry official

• Her son

• A private storage network

• Alleged falsification of official documents

• The illicit circulation of goods marked for destruction

• Claims implicating political party units

• And a potential, yet-to-be-explored link to multiple municipalities

As the investigation unfolds, public scrutiny continues to intensify, with many calling for a broader probe into how seized goods were mismanaged, mishandled, or diverted into private profit channels.

Türkiye awaits further disclosures as prosecutors uncover the full extent of the operation—and determine how far responsibility reaches.