ANKARA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye is working to ensure investors in troubled investment funds receive payments as quickly as possible and at the highest possible level, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said Thursday amid a probe into alleged market manipulation.
In a social media post, Simsek said that relevant institutions were coordinating closely on the affected funds, and the Justice Ministry was pursuing legal action to protect investors' rights and hold those responsible accountable.
He added that stronger macroeconomic fundamentals and measures being taken by authorities would help limit the impact on Türkiye's financial system and real economy.
"The measures will contribute to a stronger, healthier and more resilient capital market," Simsek said.
His remarks came as authorities widened a criminal probe into alleged market manipulation and irregularities linked to the funds, which have affected more than 455,000 investors, according to Turkish authorities.
The investigation expanded after a sharp sell-off on Borsa Istanbul in mid-September, when the benchmark BIST 100 index plunged more than 7.5 percent at one point.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said Wednesday that 34 more suspects had been targeted in a new wave of operations, bringing the total number processed to 217, of whom 56 were jailed.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that a committee headed by the vice president had been granted extensive authority to oversee the funds' liquidation process. ■
