Turkey: Ex-minister arrested in a major fund manipulation scandal

Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya, a former deputy chair of President Erdogan's party, was arrested in a major funds scandal. The opposition claims Sayan Kaya and her husband cashed in shares worth millions in the illegal scheme.

A former Turkish minister and senior official of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party was placed in detention pending trial on Friday as part of an investigation into a multi-billion-dollar investment fund scandal. An Istanbul court remanded Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya in custody on charges of "violating the capital markets law and membership of an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes," state-run news agency Anadolu reported.

Her husband was released on condition that he regularly report to police. Kaya served as family minister from 2016 to 2018 and until recently was a deputy chair of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's ruling Justice and Development Party ( AKP ).