1 defendant released in Seçil Erzan case

The trial continued for bank branch manager Seçil Erzan, who is accused of defrauding more than 30 people, including well-known footballers such as Arda Turan, Fernando Muslera, Emre Belözoğlu, and Selçuk İnan, of approximately 25 million dollars and 7 million 384 thousand liras by claiming there was a reliable, high-yield fund and that figures like Fatih Terim were also involved.

In the hearing held at the Istanbul 41st High Criminal Court with 8 defendants, the detained defendants Seçil Erzan and Ali Yörük were present, along with some defendants who are being tried without detention. Lawyers for the parties also attended the hearing.

"MY DUTIES WERE RESTORED"

During the hearing, which continued after a break, non-detained defendant Rüya Sağır testified, saying, "I think Fatih Terim sent me an SMS asking if I could find out the latest status of the accounts because he could not reach Seçil Erzan. Seçil Erzan had told me, 'If Fatih Terim asks you, give him information.' Seçil Hanım was on leave when she told me this. Throughout my banking experience up to this point, my other clients would get information from me about their account status via SMS. I do not remember when Seçil Erzan sent me the Excel table containing the money to be received and paid. I was suspended from my duties related to this case on April 12, and later my duties were restored. I resigned in October 2023. On April 7, Volkan Bahçekapılı, Emre Belözoğlu, and a few others came to the branch and expressed their complaints regarding Seçil Erzan."

"I SPOKE TO SEÇİL, SHE TOLD ME 'THE MONEY IS MULTIPLYING'"

Complainant Sevgi Sini stated in her testimony to the court, "We had a plot of land. My husband sold that land and deposited the money into the bank. Nazlı told us, 'Seçil gives good interest.' We gave the money to Nazlı. There was neither land nor money left; we withdrew 2 million 250 thousand liras in two installments and gave it to Nazlı. Later, I spoke with Seçil. She told me, 'The money is multiplying.' Later, when I called to find out the status of the money, she sent me a wet-signed document and said, 'Your money is appreciating.' She gave me back 1 million 300 thousand. We bought a house for my son with that."

"I WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE BANK"

Taking the floor at the hearing, Erzan stated that she did not know defendant Rüya Sağır and said, "I am not a fraudster; I was exposed to mind games within the position I held and the events that occurred. I was made to feel as if I had an obligation to fulfill people's requests. I never defrauded people who always saw me as an older sister, a sibling, or a daughter; I did not take a single penny from anyone. If I were a fraudster, I would not feel this indebted, this guilty, and this tired. I would have done the math and not made myself a victim. I was a successful branch manager who worked day and night. For 23 years, I was at the forefront with my work. I did more than I could. In this trap I was stuck in, I was not supported by the bank. While I was being assaulted at the branch and chaos was erupting, everything was ignored."

"I WANT THE LOSSES TO BE PAID"

Continuing her defense, Erzan said, "It is as if I am the only one who victimized everyone in this process, as if I am the only one who took the money, and I have become the only guilty party. In this file, there are people who are close enough to the general manager of this bank to socialize as families. These people, including those with primary school educations, footballers, and master's degree holders, held me in high regard and treated me with kid gloves as the money came in. Because of the bank, a year and a half of my life has been lost. I want the losses of whoever is a victim to be paid by the bank. If I had taken this money, I would have paid it back. Whatever I am, let me be everything, but I am not a fraudster. I was very happy when they hired lawyers. I thought everyone would take responsibility. I think the bank wants justice to decide who is the victim and who actually gave money."

"DEFENDANT ALİ YÖRÜK RELEASED, ERZAN REMAINS IN CUSTODY"

Announcing its interim decision, the court ruled for the release of defendant Ali Yörük with judicial control conditions, including a 'ban on traveling abroad' and the requirement to 'sign in' 3 times a week. The panel ruled that defendant Erzan should remain in custody.

Notification to the Prosecutor's Office regarding bank employees

The court also decided to notify the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding those responsible among the bank employees for the crime of 'destroying, concealing, or altering evidence of a crime,' and rejected the request to re-hear Fatih Terim in court, deeming his previous statement sufficient.

The panel ordered that a letter be written to the bank to ask whether there is insurance that protects the risks related to account holders' accounts in general, and whether the insurance company was notified by the complainants regarding the realization of the 'embezzlement' risk. The hearing was adjourned to November 15, 2024.

It was observed that defendant Erzan cried after the decision was announced.

News Source: İHA