An Istanbul court ordered Kaya detained on charges of violating the capital markets law and belonging to an organisation allegedly formed to commit crimes, Anadolu reported.

Kaya was Turkey’s family minister between 2016 and 2018 and had until recently served as a deputy chair of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AKP. She resigned from that party role on September 26 after allegations raised by the opposition Yeni party.

A Yeni lawmaker had called for clarification over claims that Kaya and her husband made millions through share transactions, including allegations that shares were sold before the scandal became public. The claims raised questions over possible insider trading. Kaya later left the ruling party.

Broader market manipulation inquiry

The investigation stems from an investment fund scandal that emerged in mid-September. Prosecutors are examining allegations of widespread market manipulation that affected the savings of nearly half a million investors.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on Tuesday that 112 people had been jailed pending trial in connection with the case. He said investigators had uncovered what he described as a “comprehensive criminal network” that had infiltrated the highest levels of Turkey’s financial markets.