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Saad Al Janabi, chairman of the company Al Janabi Group and a prominent figure in the Middle Eastern business community, has written to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, claiming he was defrauded during his investment efforts in Türkiye.
In a formal letter sent directly to Erdogan, Al Janabi says his assets were unlawfully seized and that he and his staff were threatened with firearms after he initiated legal proceedings.
“As someone with a strong reputation and a history of success in the Middle East, I came to Türkiye to promote collaboration and strengthen economic ties between our regions,” Al Janabi wrote in his letter, as reported by the business-focused outlet patronlardunyasi.com.
In his letter, Al Janabi accuses his former Turkish partner, Bedirhan Esenlik, of abusing a power of attorney granted to him for managing three Türkiye-based companies.
Al Janabi claims that Esenlik misused this authority by transferring a large sum from one of the companies to purchase a villa, initially asserting it would be registered under the company’s name. However, the property was ultimately registered under Esenlik’s own name. When confronted, Al Janabi says Esenlik responded with threats and attempted to sell the property.
Al Janabi further alleges that Esenlik obstructed the proper registration of aircraft under his ownership and diverted profits from the aviation company for personal use. These actions, he contends, created significant legal and operational complications for his businesses in Türkiye.
He also accuses Esenlik of orchestrating smear campaigns through media outlets and social media platforms, which tarnished his personal reputation and undermined the credibility of his firm, AGS Asset Management. Al Janabi claims this campaign negatively impacted the company’s standing with Türkiye’s banking regulator, putting its licensing process at risk.
According to Al Janabi, the conflict escalated after he pursued legal action, stating that he and his employees were directly threatened with firearms, placing his life in serious danger.
Despite these allegations, Al Janabi maintains that his trust in Türkiye and its people remains intact. He emphasized that his original aim was to contribute to Türkiye’s economy through initiatives “that reflect a spirit of partnership between the Middle East and Türkiye.”
“I am confident that under your leadership, not only will justice be served in my case, but Türkiye’s reputation as a secure and attractive destination for foreign investment will also be protected,” Al Janabi wrote in his message to President Erdogan.
Headquartered in Baghdad, Iraq, Al Janabi Group operates across multiple sectors including aviation, agriculture, trade, manufacturing, banking, insurance, transportation, real estate, hospitality, media, construction, and security. Employing over 4,000 people, the company maintains offices in the UAE, Jordan, and Lebanon, supporting projects and clients across the region.
Al Janabi’s interest in Türkiye followed the recent improvement in relations between Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. Identifying himself as a “business influencer” with an extensive track record in large-scale regional investments, he visited Türkiye with a group of Gulf investors to explore joint ventures aimed at boosting bilateral economic cooperation.
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