Eighty-eight year old Turkish businessman Inan Kirac ran away from legal guardians appointed at the request of his adopted daughter when he was brought to a hospital for a general medical check-up, according to local media reports.

It was on May 21 that the guardians brought Inan Kirac, the father of Ipek Kirac, to Koc University Hospital in Istanbul. The next day, he apparently escaped the guardians with the help of his chauffeur and two personal assistants.

Multi-millionaire Inan Kirac and billionaire Ipek Kirac are involved in an inheritance dispute.

Second time lucky

Inan Kirac made a previous attempt to go on the run, but on that first occasion he reportedly quickly returned home.

The chauffeur and personal assistants involved in the successful escape have been detained. In a statement to police, the chauffeur said Inan Kirac ordered him to drive and so he drove.

They travelled out of the city and then drove back to Inan Kirac’s home, he added.

Row with daughter

In December, Inan Kirac announced that he had married Emine Alangoya, a 77-year-old former executive at Koc Holding. In response, Ipek Kirac applied to a local court for the annulment of her father’s marriage.

The court requested a mental check-up and a forensic medicine institution issued a diagnosis of dementia. As a result, the legal guardians were appointed by the court to take care of Inan Kirac.

Koc board member Ipek Kirac

Ipek Kirac, 40, is the adopted daughter of Inan Kirac and the late Suna Kirac. Suna Kirac, who passed away in 2020, was a daughter of Vehbi Koc, the founder of Koc Holding (KCHOL).

Since 2016, Ipek Kirac has served as a board member at Koc Holding, the largest conglomerate in Turkey. She is the eighth richest Turk. Her wealth is estimated at $2.7bn on Forbes’ 2025 list of the richest Turks.

Karsan board chair Inan Kirac

Inan Kirac remains the board chair of carmaker Karsan (KARSN) and of Karsan’s parent company Kiraca Holding.

He is the 100th richest Turk with an estimated wealth of $500mn, according to Forbes.

Row began in 2023

Suna Kirac left her Koc Holding shares to Ipek Kirac. In 2023, Inan Kirac filed a lawsuit disputing the inheritance against Ipek Kirac. He also transferred his entire wealth to a foundation, the Inan Kirac Foundation, to avoid leaving it to Ipek Kirac.

The legal battle of Inan Kirac, Emine Alangoya and Ipek Kirac continues. Lawsuits and court rulings fly left, right and centre.