Arrest warrant issued for Mustafa Sandal’s wife in 11.1 billion‑lira probe

Turkish authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Melis Sutshurup Sandal (35), the wife of pop star Mustafa Sandal, and for her father, Cihan Sutshurup, in a widening financial probe in Istanbul. Prosecutors say the case involves alleged money‑laundering and other financial irregularities that have prompted seizures and freezes on assets and bank accounts.

Allegations and response

According to the charges disclosed by investigators, Melis is accused of moving or withdrawing 11.1 billion Turkish lira in just three months — a sum prosecutors equate to roughly €197 million. Authorities ordered a full freeze of the family's accounts and property while they probe the transactions and dozens of other people reportedly connected to the scheme.

Melis is reportedly in Dubai. Her lawyer has strongly rejected the accusations, saying the 11.1 billion‑lira figure does not represent money she placed "in her own pocket" but rather the total trading volume generated through automated transactions. The lawyer also said her trip to Dubai was related to their child's schooling and scheduled mortgage payments, not an attempt to flee.

Faced with intense public scrutiny, Mustafa Sandal released a statement distancing himself from the matter. He said, "My reputation is clean! Until today there was absolutely no talk that I buy or sell any funds, nor that I am part of such an organization. I have been in the music industry for 32 years and my sole source of income is music. My wife and her lawyer have already given the necessary explanations, and I have no material partnership with my wife other than our marital status," the singer said.

Prosecutors in Istanbul say the investigation will continue until they can fully clarify the origin and flow of the frozen funds. The case has drawn wide attention in Turkey and abroad because of the amounts involved and the high profile of those named.

Photo: press material from the event