Earlier this year, reports revealed that Mehmet Tatlıcı, a billionaire businessman, had applied for state-funded legal aid in Turkey despite a lifestyle of conspicuous luxury. The story prompted public debate about privilege, justice, and the use of public resources.
Now, a former business partner identified in court documents as H.K. has submitted a sworn statement to the Istanbul 40th Civil Court of First Instance. The declaration raises serious questions about Tatlıcı’s financial disclosures and the legitimacy of his legal aid request.
Former partner alleges undeclared cash and legal pressure
In his statement, H.K. claims that Tatlıcı and a woman referred to as S.D. routinely collected large sums of cash from real estate projects without issuing invoices. H.K. alleges he was pressured to participate in these transactions but refused, leading to the end of their business relationship. He further claims that Tatlıcı and S.D. then initiated a series of legal actions against him, including contract cancellations, debt collection attempts, and criminal complaints.
One of those complaints, accusing H.K. of defamation, was dismissed by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which found no grounds for prosecution.
Sworn statement describes lavish spending and offshore assets
H.K.’s declaration provides a detailed account of what he describes as Tatlıcı’s hidden wealth. He claims that cash from business dealings was often handed over in suitcases, without documentation. H.K. also recounts regular shopping trips to luxury boutiques such as Chanel, Hermès, Dior, and Valentino, and states that Tatlıcı gave S.D. a $400,000 Hublot diamond ring.
The statement further alleges that Tatlıcı considered purchasing a castle in Scotland, spent summers renting yachts in Bodrum, and owned a collection of high-end watches. Much of this wealth, H.K. claims, was kept offshore or in the names of associates to avoid scrutiny.
Whistleblower draws parallels to high-profile financial schemes
H.K. compares Tatlıcı’s alleged financial practices to those of Reza Zarrab, the Turkish-Iranian businessman convicted of using offshore accounts and gold transactions to evade regulatory oversight. According to H.K., Mehmet Tatlıcı used similar methods of cryptocurrency, physical gold, and offshore holdings, and transferred nominal control of several companies to S.D. while continuing to act as the ultimate decision-maker.
Tatlıcı reportedly called litigation his “hobby” and targeted family members
In his statement, H.K. recalls a conversation in which he asked Mehmet Tatlıcı why he did not settle his long-running inheritance dispute. Tatlıcı’s reported response was: “My real passion is the courts. Everyone has a hobby some go hunting, some ride horses, mine is the legal works. I don’t need the inheritance money. My goal is to destroy Marika and her son. If we settle, they will benefit and that’s what I cannot accept.”
H.K. also claims that Tatlıcı sold a $20 million property in Istanbul’s Beylikdüzü district just before their partnership began, and that Tatlıcı spent over $135,000 on private flights and discussed gifting a Caribbean island to S.D.
Courts have not yet ruled on Mehmet Tatlıcı’s legal aid request or whistleblower claims
No decision has been issued on Tatlıcı’s application for legal aid, nor have the courts adjudicated H.K.’s allegations. The claims, however, are now part of the official record and raise questions about the fairness of Mehmet Tatlıcı’s request for legal ais.
If the whistleblower’s statements are substantiated, they could have significant implications for Tatlıcı’s ongoing legal battles. For now, the courts have not addressed the validity of the allegations.