The desperate wife of the retired economist who vanished without a trace in Turkey has offered a seven-figure fortune to the person who finds him safe and sound.
British Angela Berzeg has told how she can’t wait to get her hubby back so she can cook him his favourite stuffed aubergines.
Korhan Berzeg, the former Asia Director at the World Bank, left his home in the Armutlu area of Gonen, Balikesir Province, on 17th June to walk his dog Tina.
He has not been seen since.
His worried wife has now offered a reward of TRY 1 million (GBP 29,000) to whoever can find the missing 83-year-old alive and bring him back home.
Angela Berzeg told local media: “We will give a TRY 1 million reward to the person who finds Korhan safe and sound.
“I am still hopeful that we will find Korhan unharmed. I am seeking help from all of Turkey; please help me find Korhan.
“We were always a happy family. We had no issues with anyone. It is very hard to deal with this uncertainty.”
Angela, an artist, met Korhan in America. She told Turkish media: “It was love at first sight; we have been married for 52 years.”
Speaking about her beloved husband, she said: “It’s very hard to define him; we can’t put him into any mould.
“He was so honest that if there was any wrongdoing in his work or the environment he was in, he would immediately leave that place.”
Angela went on: “Since the first day I met him, he always had a desire to return to Turkey. He wanted to serve Turkey. We lived in Washington and Saudi Arabia.
“Then we came to Turkey. His love for Turkey was not due to missing family; it was entirely ideological. Among his ideologies was to benefit Turkey.”
As to how her husband might have disappeared, she said: “Korhan was fond of Armutlu, that village. He went for a walk on 17th June, and there has been no sign of my husband for 49 days.
“He had no illnesses. He was fit and healthy. Sometimes he would experience forgetfulness, something that comes with age.”
Speaking about the high regard Korhan was held in, Angela told local media: “When Korhan was working at the World Bank, the then-President Turgut Ozal offered him a ministerial position to manage the economy. However, Korhan declined.
“The Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mehmet Simsek, was also his student.”
Angela added: “I am British, and I love Turkey very much. I enjoy living here. I can cook almost all Turkish dishes.
“When Korhan returns, I’ll make his favourite dish, Imam bayildi (Turkish stuffed aubergines).”
Since Korhan was reported missing to the authorities, hundreds of search and rescue workers have been scouring an area of 250 square kilometres in a bid to find him.
No trace of the OAP has been found so far.
The search continues.
