Ömer Koç

At the opening of the 18th Istanbul Biennial in September 2025, Ömer Koç said he could not understand how some people could still support or legitimise what he described as a "terrible genocide" in Gaza, while expressing solidarity with the Palestinian population.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Personally implicated

In June 2025, Ömer Koç left the board and chairmanship of Tofaş. Business media linked his departure to commitments submitted to the Turkish Competition Authority as part of the integration of Stellantis Otomotiv, aimed in particular at avoiding governance links between Tofaş and Ford Otosan through members of the Koç family.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In October 2017, the exhibition Kapı Çalana Açılır, featuring works from Ömer Koç's collection at the Abdülmecid Efendi Pavilion, was attacked twice by individuals shouting, among other things, "Laiklik bu mu?" ("Is this secularism?"). A work by Ron Mueck was targeted and a security guard was pushed. One participant subsequently publicly threatened Ömer Koç.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In September 2013, the Turkish authority cancelled and decided to reopen the MİLGEM tender for corvettes, which had been won by Koç Group's RMK Marine. Unsuccessful bidders had appealed to the authorities and the case had been reassessed. In March 2014, Erdoğan also defended his role in discussions relating to the contract as "natural", fuelling allegations of political interference.

State of the evidence

Documented

During the Gezi demonstrations in June 2013, the Divan Hotel, owned by Koç Group, opened its doors to protesters fleeing tear gas and water cannons. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan subsequently accused the hotel's owners of helping "criminals". The episode placed the Koç family at the centre of a public dispute with the government.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

In July 2013, police and tax inspectors inspected several energy companies controlled by Koç Holding, including Tüpraş and Aygaz, shortly after the Divan Hotel controversy. Analysts and opposition figures suspected political retaliation.

State of the evidence

Disputed

Artist Kutluğ Ataman claimed that a proposed advance purchase of an artwork by the Koç Foundation had been abandoned after Ömer Koç saw a television appearance in which Ataman had allegedly not criticised the AKP sufficiently. He presented the episode as political pressure in the arts.

State of the evidence

Alleged

Attribution

Directly implicated