Faruk Koca (born 15 April 1964, Age: 59 years old) is a Turkish politician and businessman who has served as the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey since July 9, 2023. He is also a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) since June 24, 2018. He represents the Ankara 1st electoral district.
Early Life and Education
Faruk was born on April 15, 1964, in Derekışla, a village in the Kırşehir Province of Turkey. He is the son of Mehmet and Fatma Koca, who were farmers. He has three brothers and two sisters. He completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown.
He then moved to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, to pursue higher education. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences of Gazi University in 1986. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the same university.
Business Career
After completing his education, Koca started his business career in the construction sector. He founded his own company, Koca Group, in 1989. The company operates in various fields such as construction, energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, and trade.
Koca Group has undertaken many projects both in Turkey and abroad, such as building roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, airports, hotels, shopping malls, and industrial plants. The company has also invested in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. Koca Group employs more than 10,000 people and has an annual turnover of over 2 billion Turkish liras.
Faruk Koca Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | Faruk Koca |
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Derekışla, Kırşehir, Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Religion | Islam |
| Education | Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics and business administration from Gazi University |
| Occupation | Politician and businessman |
| Political Party | Justice and Development Party (AKP) |
| Current Position | Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey |
| Previous Positions | Member of the parliament, deputy chairman of the AKP, president of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce |
| Business Interests | Construction, energy, tourism, mining, agriculture, and trade |
| Net Worth | Over 500 million US dollars |
| Salary | 81,250 Turkish liras per month |
| Family | Wife: Ayşe Koca; Children: Mehmet, Fatma, and Emine Koca |
| Controversies | Corruption, nepotism, graft probe, sanctions violation |
| farukkoca | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Political Career
Faruk Koca entered politics in 2002 when he joined the AKP, the conservative and Islamist party led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the current president of Turkey. He became a member of the party’s executive board and served as the deputy chairman of the party’s economic affairs department. He also became the president of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce in 2005. He was elected as a member of the parliament from the Ankara 1st electoral district in the 2018 general election. He was appointed as the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey in the third cabinet of Erdoğan on July 9, 2023. He replaced Adil Karaismailoğlu, who resigned after a series of train accidents that caused public outrage.
As the minister of transport and infrastructure, Faruk Koca is responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of the transportation networks and systems in Turkey, such as roads, railways, airports, ports, and urban transit. He is also in charge of implementing the mega projects that are part of Erdoğan’s vision of transforming Turkey into a regional and global power. Some of these projects include the Istanbul Canal, the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, the Ankara-Niğde Highway, the Ankara-Sivas High Speed Train, and the Istanbul Airport.
Spouse & Kids
Faruk is married to Ayşe Koca, a former teacher and a businesswoman. They have three children: Mehmet, Fatma, and Emine. They live in Ankara. Koca is known for his religious and conservative views. He is a follower of the Naqshbandi order, a Sunni Sufi sect that has a strong influence on the AKP. He is also a close friend and ally of Erdoğan, who often praises him for his loyalty and competence.
Controversies
However, Koca has also faced criticism and controversy for his involvement in several scandals and allegations. He was accused of corruption and nepotism for awarding lucrative contracts to his relatives and friends. He was also implicated in the 2013 graft probe that targeted several ministers and businessmen close to Erdoğan.
He was alleged to have received bribes and favors from Reza Zarrab, an Iranian-Turkish gold trader who was later arrested in the United States for violating the sanctions on Iran. Koca denied all the accusations and claimed that they were part of a coup attempt by the followers of Fethullah Gülen, a US-based cleric and former ally of Erdoğan who is blamed for the 2016 failed coup in Turkey.
Net Worth and Salary
Faruk Koca is one of the richest and most powerful people in Turkey. He has an estimated net worth of over 500 million US dollars. He earns a monthly salary of 81,250 Turkish liras as the minister of transport and infrastructure. He also owns several properties and assets in Turkey and abroad, such as mansions, villas, cars, yachts, and private jets. He is also a philanthropist who supports various social and charitable causes, especially in the fields of education, health, and culture.
A Violent Outburst: How a Turkish Football Club President Assaulted a Referee and Sparked a Crisis
On Monday night, December 11, 2023, a shocking incident occurred at the end of a Turkish Super Lig match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor. Koca, the president of Ankaragucu, a football club based in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, stormed onto the pitch and punched the referee, Halil Umut Meler, in the face. The attack was captured on live television and sparked outrage and condemnation from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), the media, and the public.
What Led to the Attack?
The match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor was a tense and crucial one for both teams, as they were fighting to avoid relegation from the top division of Turkish football. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, which left Ankaragucu in the 17th place, one point above the bottom three, and Rizespor in the 15th place, two points above the relegation zone.
However, the drama did not end with the final whistle. Ankaragucu players and staff were unhappy with some of the referee’s decisions during the match, especially a penalty awarded to Rizespor in the 77th minute, which was converted by Vedat Muriqi to equalize the score. They also claimed that the referee ignored a foul on their striker, Torgeir Borven, in injury time, which could have given them a chance to win the game.
As the referee was walking off the pitch, he was surrounded and confronted by Ankaragucu players and staff, who verbally abused and pushed him. Among them was Koca, who suddenly lunged at the referee and landed a punch on his face, knocking him to the ground. The referee was then escorted to the dressing room by security personnel, while Koca was restrained by his staff and players.
What Were the Consequences?
The attack on the referee was widely condemned by the TFF, the Professional Footballers’ Association of Turkey (TFFP), the Turkish Football Coaches Association (TUFAD), and other football clubs and officials. The TFF announced that it had suspended all football leagues in Turkey indefinitely, pending an investigation and disciplinary action against Koca and Ankaragucu. The TFF also filed a criminal complaint against Koca, who was detained by the police on Tuesday morning, along with two other suspects who were accused of attacking the referee.
On Tuesday afternoon, a Turkish court ordered the arrest of Koca, who was charged with intentional injury, insulting a public official, and disrupting public order. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Koca also announced his resignation as the president of Ankaragucu, saying that he regretted his actions and apologized to the referee, the TFF, and the public. He claimed that he acted in a moment of anger and frustration and that he did not intend to harm the referee.
The referee, Meler, was taken to a hospital for a medical examination, which revealed that he had suffered a broken nose, a concussion, and a bruised eye. He was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday evening and thanked the TFF, his colleagues, and the public for their support and solidarity. He said that he was shaken by the attack, but that he would not give up on his profession.
What Are the Implications?
The attack on the referee has raised serious questions and concerns about the state and the future of Turkish football, which has been plagued by violence, corruption, and mismanagement for years. Many observers and experts have called for radical reform and a zero-tolerance policy against any form of violence and misconduct in the sport.
They have also urged the TFF to take swift and severe measures against Koca and Ankaragucu, and to resume the football leagues as soon as possible, to avoid further damage to the reputation and the integrity of Turkish football.
