Can Tanrıyar in court: Standing trial for attempted extortion

The hearing for the case against Can Tanrıyar and Muhammed Yakut, who is wanted via a red notice, both of whom face up to 11 years and 3 months in prison on charges of attempted extortion, was held at the Istanbul 38th High Criminal Court. Presenting his defense at the hearing, non-detained defendant Can Tanrıyar stated that he had been unjustly imprisoned for 8 months and requested acquittal. His wife, Tamar Tanrıyar, denied the accusations, stating that they were innocent and requesting their acquittal. In the case, suspects Can Tanrıyar, Tamar Tanrıyar, and Muhammed Yakut face potential prison sentences ranging from 7 years and 6 months to 11 years and 3 months for the crime of "attempted extortion."

"EVERYONE WHO SEES US ASKS ABOUT THIS CASE, WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER PEOPLE"

In his defense, Can Tanrıyar stated, "I believe that law and justice will prevail. I am being tried unjustly. The people who raided the company were eventually tried, but we are here unjustly. Everyone who sees us asks about this case; we don't know how to answer people. We have nothing to do with this incident. These matters have started to proceed based on hearsay. I served 8 months in prison without complaint, and I am now requesting my acquittal from the court."

"MY WIFE AND I DID NOT COMMIT A CRIME"

Stating that he reiterated his previous statements in his defense, non-detained defendant Tamar Tanrıyar said, "I absolutely do not accept the accusations. Lies are being told upon lies. It is clearly evident that there was no attempt at extortion. I do not accept the accusations, with camera recordings and all kinds of evidence. My wife and I did not commit a crime. I now want my acquittal; give me my rights." The lawyers for the complainants requested that the defendants be punished for the crime of 'extortion.' The defense lawyers, stating that their clients did not accept the accusations, requested their acquittal from the court. When asked for his opinion, the Public Prosecutor requested the continuation of the judicial control measures applied to Can Tanrıyar and Tamar Tanrıyar.

CONTINUATION OF JUDICIAL CONTROL MEASURES ORDERED

Announcing its interim decision, the court panel ordered the continuation of the judicial control measures for defendants Can and Tamar Tanrıyar and adjourned the hearing to allow for the completion of missing items.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Metin Güneş and Muhammed Abdulkadir Güneş were listed as 'complainants,' while Hüseyin Can Tanrıyar, Muhammed Yakut, and Tamar Tanrıyar were listed as 'suspects.'

The indictment explained that the investigation was initiated upon a complaint by complainants Muhammed Abdulkadir Güneş and Metin Güneş against the suspects, alleging that there was a debt dispute between them and the suspects amounting to approximately 6 million 500 thousand to 7 million 500 thousand dollars, and that they attempted extortion to force the complainants to waive their claims and to obtain financial gain.

The indictment stated that suspect Muhammed Yakut, under the direction of suspects Hüseyin Can Tanrıyar and Tamar Tanrıyar, engaged in attempted extortion by contacting different individuals to be relayed to the complainants. It was noted that suspect Yakut made statements to complainant Muhammed Abdulkadir Güneş such as, 'I have taken over your debt to Can Tanrıyar. You are now dealing with me. I will collect that money from you.' 'The court's decision does not bind me; I am bound by what Can Tanrıyar says, that is all I know. I know how to collect that money from you. I know the addresses of both you and your brothers. Can Tanrıyar is my life and soul; his word is law to me. I will not leave any of you in peace, I will not let you walk around comfortably; you will pay that money.'

The indictment recorded that in February and March 2023, suspect Muhammed Yakut, under the instructions of suspect Can Tanrıyar, called complainant Metin Güneş and those around him to make threats, and that as a continuation of these actions, suspect Yakut also engaged in insults and threats against complainant Metin Güneş in the video content he recorded and published. Furthermore, it was noted that suspects Tamar Tanrıyar, Hüseyin Can Tanrıyar, and Muhammed Yakut acted in unity of intent and action in committing the acts against complainants Muhammed Abdulkadir Güneş and Metin Güneş.

The indictment requested that suspects Hüseyin Can Tanrıyar, Muhammed Yakut, and Tamar Tanrıyar be sentenced to 7 years and 6 months to 11 years and 3 months in prison for the crime of 'attempted qualified extortion by more than one person, acting together.'