ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish prosecutors have reportedly opened an investigation into former Prime Minister and opposition politician Ahmet Davutoğlu, following allegations that he insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and made accusations against his government.
The investigation follows comments attributed to Davutoğlu that have circulated widely on social media, in which he strongly criticized Erdoğan and accused his administration of corruption, misuse of state resources and favoring relatives.
Davutoğlu was quoted as saying that Erdoğan and his government had “stolen Turkey” and turned the country’s wealth into something from which they personally benefited. He also alleged that Erdoğan had enriched members of his family and appointed his son-in-law as a minister.
Davutoğlu also repeated a previous allegation made by former opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, claiming that Erdoğan had effectively handed control of five companies in Turkey to individuals close to him.
The accusations are politically sensitive and could carry legal consequences if prosecutors determine that the statements constitute criminal insults or unlawful allegations against the president. The claims themselves have not been established as facts.
Davutoğlu is a significant figure in modern Turkish politics and was once one of Erdoğan’s closest political allies. He served as Erdoğan’s adviser before becoming Foreign Minister in 2009 and later Prime Minister from 2014 to 2016. He also served as chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
As foreign minister and later prime minister, Davutoğlu was closely associated with Turkey’s expanding diplomatic engagement across the Middle East, Africa and other strategically important regions. His approach contributed to Turkey’s broader foreign-policy outreach, including its growing diplomatic and economic engagement with Somalia.
The relationship between Davutoğlu and Erdoğan deteriorated after Erdoğan became president in 2014 and Davutoğlu assumed the positions of prime minister and AKP leader. Political differences reportedly emerged over the balance of power between the presidency and government, as well as the direction of Turkey’s political system.
Davutoğlu eventually left the AKP and established the Future Party (Gelecek Partisi), becoming an outspoken critic of Erdoğan’s government.
The latest investigation highlights the continuing political tensions between the two former allies and comes amid broader debate in Turkey over political freedoms, presidential power and the treatment of opposition figures.
