Erdin Özel, Tera Portföy Chairman, linked to fund investigation

New details have emerged regarding Erdin Özel, the Chairman of Tera Portföy, who was arrested as part of a major investigation into a fund crisis involving approximately 700 billion TL.

Journalist İsmail Saymaz reported that Özel’s professional background shows a significant shift from media to fund management. According to insurance records, Özel worked as an Ankara correspondent for the Afyonkarahisar-based Odak Gazetesi between 2016 and 2023. During this period, his insurance premiums were reportedly paid based on minimum wage.

Further claims suggest that Özel also worked as a director for Kanal 43 in Kütahya. A notable discrepancy has been highlighted between his reported income and his official records: while his insurance filings indicated minimum wage earnings, it is alleged that Özel declared a monthly income of 500,000 TL in his prosecutor's statement. Critics and former colleagues have also questioned whether he possessed the necessary professional experience for his leadership role at Tera Portföy.