Critical decision in illegal betting case: Erkan Kork released

An important interim decision has been issued in the illegal betting case being heard in Istanbul, which has been closely followed by the public. The hearing for the case, in which 55 defendants are being tried—including Erkan Kork, the owner of Pozitifbank, Payfix Payment Institution, and Flash Haber TV, which operates under Göktuğ Multimedya Yayıncılık Anonim Şirketi—continued at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. At the end of the hearing, the court ordered the release of the detained defendant Erkan Kork.

ATTENDED THE HEARING VIA SEGBIS

In the previous session of the case, detained defendants Hülya Turan, Arzu Tepe, and Hamza Kork had been released.

Some of the defendants who were not in custody and the lawyers for the parties attended the hearing at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Erkan Kork, who was in detention, connected to the hearing from prison via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBIS) to present his defense.

"WE OPERATED IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS"

Starting his defense by reminding the court that he had previously provided detailed statements, Erkan Kork stated that he wanted to provide explanations from different perspectives in this hearing.

Kork stated that the company in question had acted in accordance with regulations from the very first day it began operations, and expressed that they had made significant investments in human resources and technical infrastructure.

Stating that he aimed to build a strong corporate structure when founding Payfix, Kork noted that they placed importance on employing qualified personnel and continuously developing the technical infrastructure within the company, and that they organized training programs for managers and employees every year.

"WE CHOSE TO DO THE RIGHT THING"

Making statements regarding the company's payment systems, Kork noted that Payfix was granted authorization for the FAST payment system by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.

Despite this, Kork stated that they limited FAST transactions and daily transaction limits in order to avoid risk, and said that their priority was not to conduct more transactions, but to act in compliance with regulations.

Arguing that their company management approach was never based on pushing the rules, Kork stated that he tried to fulfill the legal responsibilities imposed on him not at a minimum level, but in a more comprehensive manner.

"I WANT A FAIR TRIAL"

Making statements regarding the fight against IBAN fraud, Kork claimed that they had made numerous applications to the prosecutor's office on this issue.

Stating that they were trying to prevent not only the grievances faced by Payfix but also those faced by the sector, Kork said that he was not avoiding trial but wanted to be tried fairly.

Expressing his belief that he would be acquitted, Kork said, "I am sure I will be acquitted, but did I have to spend 16 months in prison for this?"

Stating that there were no other defendants left in detention or under house arrest besides himself, Kork claimed that none of the defendants who presented their defense in court had made statements against him, Payfix, or his other companies. Kork requested to be tried without detention.

RELEASE DECISION FROM THE COURT

After the completion of the defenses, the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance announced its interim decision and ordered the release of the detained defendant Erkan Kork.