Statement from Fatih Terim's lawyers on the 'Fatih Terim Fund': 'The implication of money laundering is very ugly'

Former Denizbank branch manager Seçil Erzan had created a fictitious fund using Fatih Terim's name, defrauding football players and business people. Manager Fatih Terim responded to the allegations occupying the public agenda through his lawyers. Terim's lawyers stated, "There is no document called the 'Fatih Terim' fund. Making an implication of money laundering is extremely ugly."

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Statement from Fatih Terim's lawyers on the 'Fatih Terim Fund': 'The implication of money laundering is very ugly'

12punto.com.tr

The high-interest foreign currency fund case, known in the public eye as the 'Fatih Terim Fund' continues to remain a hot topic on the agenda.

The bank manager, who allegedly committed millions of dollars in fraud by using the name of famous manager Fatih Terim, is Seçil Erzan. She faces up to 226 years in prison.

Manager Fatih Terim, who has remained silent since the day the incident became public, issued a statement through his lawyers.

The written statement issued by Fatih Terim's lawyers, Zafer Ertek and Tufan Karataş, is as follows:

"In recent days, it has become necessary to inform the public and make a statement regarding the news and comments appearing in the print/visual media and on social media concerning our client and his family.

First and foremost, it must be stated that; regarding the fund allegedly created by the lady mentioned in the press, it is referred to as the 'Fatih Terim Fund'. There is no such document.

Regarding the matter, the public authorities BRSA and CMB investigations, as well as in the indictment prepared by theIstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and accepted by the Istanbul 41st High Criminal Court, there is no finding or document referred to as the 'Fatih Terim Fund'.

'THE IMPLICATION OF MONEY LAUNDERING IS VERY UGLY'

The persistent use by the press of the term 'Fatih Terim Fund'—which has been determined by legal and administrative institutions to have no connection to our client and is never mentioned in the case file— 'Fatih Terim Fund' offends our client and tarnishes his personal reputation.

It is self-evident that the continued use of this baseless and offensive expression will lead to legal consequences.

The source of the money in our client's bank accounts, or money not present in them, consists of funds received from public-audited institutions (TFF) and sports clubs (Galatasaray), which were earned through hard work in the truest sense, with every last cent of tax paid. Making an implication of money laundering regarding this is extremely ugly and also constitutes a criminal offense.

The allegations that there was an extraordinary, special closeness between our client and his family and the defendant are entirely baseless, and such tabloid-style approaches deeply offend our client and his family.

'IT EXCEEDS THE LIMITS OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION'

Our client has a wide social circle stemming from his personality and career; seeking ulterior motives or making implications regarding his dining with these people, being a guest in their homes, or being invited to their weddings exceeds the limits of freedom of the press and expression.

For the reasons explained, and specifically; That all content in the written and visual press as well as on social media containing the phrase 'Fatih Terim Fund' must be removed immediately, and that legal and criminal action will be taken if its use continues In accordance with Article 159 of the Banking Law regarding the 'provision that secrets belonging to the bank and customers shall not be disclosed by third parties' and in accordance with Article 136 of the Turkish Penal Code regarding the provision that 'personal data shall not be unlawfully given to or disseminated to another person,' we specifically state that this must be strictly complied with, that such content, if any, must be removed, that legal and criminal processes will be pursued to the end against those responsible for baseless news, comments, and visuals regarding our client that are outside the indictment both before and after this statement, and that news and comments constituting an attack on the private lives and personal rights of our client and his family should not be given credence."

News Source: 12punto