Trial begins: Dilan Polat and Engin Polat on trial for money laundering

The trial of Dilan Polat and her husband Engin Polat, who are being tried on charges of money laundering, has begun. The statements of the parties were revealed during the hearing.

Don't leave your news choices to an algorithm - decide for yourself what you read. Add 12punto to your preferred sources!

Trial begins: Dilan Polat and Engin Polat on trial for money laundering

With the end of the judicial recess, busy work has begun in the courthouses. The trials of Dilan Polat and her husband Engin Polat, who were arrested on charges of money laundering, are continuing. The Polat couple faces a prison sentence of 20 to 40 years each.

The first hearing of the case, held at the Anadolu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, was attended by detained defendants Engin Polat, Alper Kürşat Polat, Sezgin Polat, and Ahmet Gün. Non-detained defendants, including Dilan Polat, and their lawyers were also present at the hearing. The hearing continues with the identification process of the defendants.

The indictment demands prison sentences of 20 to 40 years each for crimes such as establishing and managing an organization to commit crimes and money laundering. 28 suspects, including Dilan Polat and her husband Engin Polat, appeared before the judge.

Detained defendants Engin Polat, Sezgin Polat, Alper Kürşat Polat, and Ahmet Gün were brought to the hearing held in the conference hall under gendarmerie escort. Other non-detained defendants, including Dilan Polat, Sıla Doğu, and Can Doğu, also attended the hearing.

At the hearing, detained defendant Engin Polat was the first to begin his defense. Engin Polat spoke as follows in his prepared written defense:

"I took notes so as not to skip any issues. We have been waiting for this day for months. We want true justice to be served. The illegal betting allegations started on social media. Not a single question was asked at the police station. I thought the investigation would not proceed to prosecution. It is not true that I went to Cyprus illegally. We went for a short vacation on April 1, 2017. I do not know Derkan Başer and Veysel Şahin. We have no mutual acquaintances. I could not see what the evidence regarding Jasminbet was. No money from these sites has entered our family companies. I find it difficult to understand how these are alleged. It is said that the income obtained from betting organizations was moved through many accounts and transferred to Derkan Başer. I don't know what a cold wallet is. Not 1 lira has entered our accounts. Our phones were hacked; we do not use Android devices. It turned out that Erkan Şahin's allegations were not true. I do not accept any of Erkan Şahin's allegations. Now that his lies have been exposed, this person should not be given any credibility."

WARNING TO ENGİN POLAT

On the other hand, while Engin Polat was making his defense, he began to talk about the companies. He was warned by the judge to 'stop advertising' while explaining the turnover of the companies.

'I AM UNEMPLOYED, I HAVE NO INCOME'

When given the floor during the identification process, Engin Polat said, "I am a high school graduate. I am not working right now, I have no income." Dilan Polat stated that she was a middle school graduate and that she was unemployed and had no income.

'THE EARNINGS OF ALL THE COMPANIES WE MANAGE WERE OBTAINED THROUGH LEGAL MEANS'

Engin Polat, who was given the floor to make his defense at the hearing, said, "We have been waiting for this day for months. Illegal betting allegations first started on social media. At first, I didn't take it seriously, but I was detained. While I thought this would remain at the investigation stage and not proceed to prosecution, I am here before you today on charges of money laundering. The indictment alleges that I went to Cyprus through illegal means. I went with my wife and sister-in-law for a short vacation. I do not know Derkan Başer and Veysel Şahin. The indictment claims that I transferred the money from betting organizations abroad via a cold wallet. However, all of our earnings were stated in the final audit report. I don't know what a cold wallet is, I have never had such an account. We are a leading company in the beauty sector in Turkey. We have no shell companies. All the assets of the companies managed by me and my family are earnings obtained through legal trade."

'I EVEN WITNESSED CONVICTS EATING SOAP JUST TO GET OUT'

Continuing his defense, Polat stated, "In this case, which Turkey is talking about, while no evidence could be found even in all criminal reports, technical and physical follow-ups, and searches conducted at my company addresses and in the gardens of our homes, the indictment was prepared based on witness statements. I think a setup was orchestrated against us by people who had interests. All the witnesses are convicts. These people have made statements to gain benefits for themselves based on the statements of the secret witness that appeared in the media. During my time in prison, I even witnessed convicts eating soap just to get out. These witnesses may have given false testimony to get out."

'I DEMAND THAT OUR COMPANIES AND BRANCHES BE RETURNED TO US'

Stating that he did not accept the accusations in the indictment, defendant Engin Polat said, "No concrete evidence confirming the witness accounts has emerged. Because there is no evidence for lies and slander. I demand that our companies and branches be returned to us."

OUR REPUTATION HAS BEEN SHATTERED

Engin Polat said, "I have been separated from my family for 10 months due to lies and slander. Our reputation, our family, and our lives have been shattered. This must be what they mean when they say 'May God not give it to one's enemy.' I request my release and acquittal."

"WE ARE A FAMILY, HOW COULD WE HAVE ESTABLISHED AN ORGANIZATION"

Detained defendant Alper Kürşat Polat defended himself by saying, "I am the youngest of the family. My family has been involved in trade for as long as I can remember. My brother's workload was heavy, so I was helping my family. There isn't much about me in the indictment anyway. The only thing my family taught me is to stand on my own two feet. I'm confused now, I don't even know what crime I committed. My only goal was to reduce my family's workload. I am accused of being an organization leader, I do not accept this. We are a family, how could we have established an organization? I also do not accept the illegal betting allegations. I am not even someone who has placed a bet on legal betting sites. I was not involved in the financial affairs of the company, my brother was. I do not accept any of the accusations. I have been a victim for 11 months. I request my release."

News Source: 12punto