15 suspects including Ömer Sarıgül and Murat Ağırel arrested in money laundering probe

In an investigation into laundering of proceeds of crime led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 15 suspects, including Mustafa Sarıgül's son Ömer Sarıgül, were arrested and sent to prison. Journalist Murat Ağırel was among those arrested.

Operation and judicial process

Operations were carried out on October 16, 17 and 18 as part of the investigation, and 17 suspects, including Ömer Sarıgül, Abdurrahman Emir Sarıgül and Murat Ağırel, were detained. After police procedures were completed, the suspects were referred to the courthouse. Following their statements to prosecutors, 15 suspects were sent to the criminal judgeship of peace on duty with a request for arrest.

The judgeship ordered the arrest of Ömer Sarıgül, Özgür Bölükbaşı, Sadullah Ergün, Selim Daşdemir, Volkan Aslanbaş, Zekai Erdem, Zekeriya Yasemin, Aylin Kotil, Bayram Özata, Caner Baş, Cavidan Tanrah Artuner, Cihan Durak, Cihat Salman, Murat Ağırel and Mehmet Ali Aslan. Cemil Vasken Barın and Uğur Kurtulan were released under judicial control.

Allegations

Complainant statements in the file alleged that money of unclear origin was taken abroad through companies overseas, was not used for the purposes stated in investment contracts, and that attempts were made to give illicit proceeds a legal appearance. The complainants also claimed they were threatened by Abdurrahman Emir Sarıgül after seeking a solution to their problems through Murat Ağırel.

Abdurrahman Emir Sarıgül, who surrendered with his lawyer on October 18, was reported to still be going through police procedures.