Liberal Party Chairman Zübeyir Gülabi: Turkey’s Century or a Century of Plunder?

Liberal Party Chairman Zübeyir Gülabi issued a strongly worded statement on October 29, 2026, criticizing what he described as a deepening crisis in Türkiye’s legal system, public administration and economic environment. Titled “Turkey’s Century or a Century of Plunder?”, the statement raised questions about allegations concerning financial funds and personal wealth while calling for greater accountability and institutional reform.

Opening his statement by congratulating the nation on the 103rd anniversary of the Republic, Gülabi argued that the country was facing serious challenges stemming from the erosion of the rule of law, the elimination of merit-based appointments and the alleged misuse of public resources by circles close to the government.

He warned that the current system had become increasingly difficult to sustain, stating that it had moved away from transparency, accountability and free-market principles.

Gülabi Calls for Financial Allegations to Be Clarified

Gülabi referred to several allegations that have circulated in the public domain, calling for questions surrounding financial transactions and personal wealth to be addressed.

He claimed that the name of Muğla’s governor had been linked to an alleged fund scandal involving 20 million Turkish liras. He also questioned the source of the 163 million liras reportedly associated with former minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya.

The Liberal Party leader further called for clarification regarding the source of the wealth attributed to the son of AK Party Deputy Chairman Hayati Yazıcı. He also referred to allegations that individuals reportedly vacationing with AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik had obtained 20 billion liras in illicit gains.

Gülabi also pointed to financial funds, including Tera and Pusula, arguing that the relationships surrounding these funds warranted closer scrutiny. He alleged that the network of interests extended to Beştepe, the presidential complex, and called for an independent and transparent examination of the claims.

The allegations cited in the statement have not been independently verified in this report.

“A One-Man Regime Is the Enemy of the Rule of Law and Capital Security”

Gülabi argued that property rights, entrepreneurial freedom and legal certainty had been seriously undermined in Türkiye. He said police officers, prosecutors and judges must be able to perform their duties independently, without political pressure.

He also claimed that journalists seeking to uncover the truth were being silenced through imprisonment.

“When the law ceases to function, corruption becomes institutionalized,” Gülabi said, emphasizing the relationship between judicial independence, economic confidence and the protection of individual rights.

According to the Liberal Party chairman, weakening legal safeguards affects not only the justice system but also investment conditions and the wider economy. He maintained that property rights cannot be protected, free markets cannot function properly and sustainable prosperity cannot be achieved without the rule of law.

Gülabi said his party rejected a system that, in his view, turns public institutions into channels for private interests and financial gain.

Abdullah Tırpan’s Death in Prison Raises Justice Concerns

The statement also addressed the death in prison of Abdullah Tırpan, a 75-year-old philanthropist who had funded the construction of a dormitory in Tekirdağ to provide accommodation for students in need.

Gülabi said Tırpan had not been released despite his serious illnesses and medical reports submitted by his family and lawyers. He criticized the approach of the Ministry of Justice and the Council of Forensic Medicine, arguing that the case illustrated broader concerns about fairness and the treatment of vulnerable prisoners.

Referring to the case, Gülabi declared: “Without the rule of law, neither justice nor economic prosperity can be established.”

Liberal Party Outlines Four Key Reform Commitments

In the final section of his statement, Gülabi outlined four policy commitments that he said the Liberal Party would pursue.

The proposals focus on restoring judicial independence, reforming the political system, increasing transparency in public administration and strengthening legal protections for individuals and businesses.

The party’s stated commitments include:

• Judicial independence: Establishing an independent judiciary and pursuing an uncompromising fight against corruption and influence-peddling.
• A return to the parliamentary system: Reintroducing parliamentary governance and preventing the return of one-man rule.
• Transparency in public administration: Making wealth declarations by politicians and civil servants accessible to public scrutiny.
• Protection of property rights and human dignity: Ensuring that individual rights and human dignity are protected by law against arbitrary government decisions.

Gülabi concluded by reiterating his opposition to what he described as the exploitation of public resources and the erosion of justice. He pledged that the Liberal Party would continue advocating for the rule of law, individual freedoms and a fairer Türkiye.

“We will not allow our people to be deceived, our resources to be exploited or our conscience to be wounded,” Gülabi said.

He added that his party would continue its struggle against injustice and corruption while working toward a country governed by freedom, justice and the supremacy of law.