Shame and Guilt: Turkey's Interior Minister on Rising Rent Prices

Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu has branded the sharp rise in rental prices in the country as "shame and guilt" following the devastating earthquakes that struck the southeastern region.

"The sudden increase in rental payments is a problem of individual exploitation; it is shameful and sinful. You will not benefit from that money," Soylu's words were quoted by the Aydınlık newspaper.

There has been a significant increase in rental prices, particularly in Ankara. Citizens affected by the earthquakes are being accommodated in the Çankaya and Ulus districts. The government is providing assistance of up to 5,000 lira (approximately $265) for rent to those affected. However, the average housing cost in these areas is 8,000 lira ($424).

Apartments that were previously offered for rent at 10,000 to 12,000 lira (from $530 to $636) have increased to between 15,000 and 18,000 lira ($795 to $954) after the earthquakes.

It is worth noting that on February 20, at 21:05 Yerevan time, a new earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 occurred near the Syria-Turkey border, followed by several aftershocks, the strongest of which registered at a magnitude of 5.8. Hatay province in Turkey has been left without power and has suffered destruction.