The Turkish Izmir Prosecutor General’s Office launched an investigation on Saturday into 95-year-old Turkish billionaire Rahmi Koc after his joke about Kurds, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
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At the opening of an American hospital in Izmir, the billionaire told former Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and other officials an anecdote about a Kurdish woman who came to see a doctor. The joke caused a wave of criticism from the media, politicians and users of social networks.
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“In a video posted on social networks and the media, businessman R. K. made statements aimed at a part of the population and hurting the feelings of society. In this regard, the Izmir Prosecutor General’s Office has officially launched an investigation on suspicion of publicly humiliating a part of the population based on differences in social status, ethnicity, religion, denomination, gender,” the statement said.
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Omer Celik, the official representative of the ruling Justice and Development Party, criticized Koch, calling on him to apologize.
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“Using the word “Kurdish” next to derogatory expressions does not correspond to our values, it is erroneous and wrong… discriminatory statements should never be disguised as a joke,” Celik said.
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Later, the holding posted Koch’s apology on social media. The billionaire noted that he regretted what he had done and did not intend to offend anyone.
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Koç is the honorary Chairman of Koç Holding. The holding company’s investments in the construction of the hospital amounted to $ 150 million, the billionaire himself said. His fortune is estimated at about $2.4 billion, and the Koc dynasty is considered one of the richest families in Turkey.
