Halil Mutlu (born 1971) is a Turkish-born physician, political lobbyist and community activist living in the United States of America. Mutlu is currently serving as Chairman of AK Party Representative to the United States, who is the first representative for the party in the United States. Previously, he was co-chair of Turkish American Steering Committee (TASC) and is a former chair of the Türken Foundation.
Mutlu was born in Guneysu, Rize, in 1971. His father, Kemal, is the brother of (née Mutlu; 1924âÂÂ2011), the mother of Recep Tayyip ErdoÃÂan, making Mutlu a cousin of President Recep Tayyip ErdoÃÂan.. Mutlu completed elementary and middle school in Kasimpasa and high school at Kabatas Erkek Lisesi. He attended Selcuk University Medical School in Konya. After graduation, he completed his mandatory service and entered emergency medicine. During an academic visit to the United States, he passed the United States Medical Licensing Examinations and became eligible to practice medicine in the United States. He completed an internal medicine residency at Berkshire Medical Center, affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Since 2010, Mutlu has been working at the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.
By the mid-2010s, Mutlu had become involved in Turkish-American community institutions and advocacy networks, serving in leadership roles in the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC), including as co-chair during some periods. A public TASC announcement cited by external reporting states that TASC accepted his resignation as co-chair in March 2022. Mutlu has also been linked to the leadership of the Türken Foundation, providing student housing and faith-friendly housing for Muslim and Turkish students.
In July 2016, immediately after the coup attempt in Turkey, Mutlu drove to Saylorsburg with a carload of friends and joined a protest outside the residence of political figure Fethullah Gülen, who was accused by the Turkish government of being behind the coup attempt.
In February 2022, Turkish media reported that Mutlu was appointed as the first representative of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in the United States. The AK PartyâÂÂs official website lists its Washington representative office under the partyâÂÂs Foreign Affairs chairmanship, which is headed by Zafer Sñrakaya.
The representative office has been described as part of the partyâÂÂs overseas organization. AK Party has stated that it operates election coordination centers abroad and mobilizes volunteers to campaign among eligible overseas voters during Turkish elections and referendums, especially leading up to the 2023 Turkish presidential election.
In filings under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), AK Party Representation to the United States described its role as representing the AK Party in the United States and outlined political activities, including outreach and engagement in support of the partyâÂÂs objectives. Later supplemental statements also reported contacts and discussions related to U.S.âÂÂTürkiye relations, including outreach to congressional offices by AK Party USAâÂÂs Government and International Affairs function, and the engagement of another lobbyist.
Mutlu's father, Kemal Mutlu, is the brother of Tenzile ErdoÃÂan (née Mutlu; 1924âÂÂ2011), the mother of Recep Tayyip ErdoÃÂan, making Mutlu a cousin of President Recep Tayyip ErdoÃÂan..
MutluâÂÂs father, Kemal Mutlu, died on January 24, 2013. His funeral prayer was held at the Büyük Piyalepaà Âa Mosque in Kasñmpaà Âa, with thenâÂÂPrime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÃÂan in attendance. The prayer was led by Raà Âit Küçük, Chair of the High Council of Religious Affairs within the Presidency of Religious Affairs. Following the service, Kemal Mutlu was buried in the family plot at Kulaksñz Cemetery. Attendees at the cemetery ceremony included Prime Minister ErdoÃÂan, Former Minister of Environment and Urbanization ErdoÃÂan Bayraktar, Former Minister of Customs and Trade Hayati Yazñcñ, Former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yñldñz, and Former Prime Minister Binali Yñldñrñm.
Mutlu is married with one child.