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Caught Our Eye

Erdogan hires cousin to win Turkish votes in U.S.

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on May 25, 2022

Turkey's authoritarian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has enlisted his Connecticut-based cousin to drum up U.S. support for Erdogan's party in coming elections, according to new Department of Justice disclosures.

Halil Mutlu, who is a physician, is helping Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP) to carry out "political, social and cultural activities" for Turkish nationals living in the U.S., in hopes of winning their votes. The filings say that Mutlu will also disseminate party materials and work with "U.S. politicians, government organizations, non-profit organizations, etc."

Turkey will hold its next presidential election in 2023. Turkish expats, especially those living in the U.S., were reportedly instrumental in Erdogan's 2018 election.

Mutlu is the sole member of the party's U.S. representation. He engages directly with Erdogan and is not being paid for the work, according to the disclosures.