Turkish CIP Raised US$15 Billion from 40,000 Applications, Says Former Interior Minister

Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment program (CIP) attracted 40,000 applications and generated $15 billion in investments, according to former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu.

The program’s security measures faced scrutiny after allegations emerged about international crime organization leaders obtaining Turkish citizenship.

Soylu strongly refuted these claims, arguing that “the claim that drug lords were granted citizenship is a great slander” against both him and the Republic of Turkey.

According to Soylu, Turkish law prevents granting citizenship to individuals with criminal records, ongoing investigations, or Interpol red notices.

He claims the process includes comprehensive vetting by multiple intelligence agencies that investigate applicants in their local jurisdictions.

The former minister described implementing new security measures during his tenure.

These reportedly included integrating red notice warnings into the screening system and uploading photos of known international criminal organization members to border control checkpoints.

He says the system “automatically revokes” citizenship when it detects new red notices for naturalized citizens but did not specify how this could take place while ensuring due process.

He also drew a sharp distinction between residence permits and citizenship, suggesting media reports often blur these categories.

Soylu insists the CBI policy “is correct” and strengthens Turkey’s economy by bringing in FDI and creating jobs.