Fatih Terim's lawyer speaks out: He went 'so as not to leave them alone'

In the "Fatih Terim Fund" fraud case involving high foreign currency interest rates, the lawyer for former Galatasaray manager Fatih Terim, Tufan Karataş, responded to the allegations.

Responding to questions from Sözcü columnist İsmail Saymaz, Karataş stated the following:

THE BASIC SERVICE PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER

Stating that keeping Erzan at the Florya branch for 11 years caused her relationship with customers to deepen, lawyer Karataş also denied claims that Seçil Erzan was Fatih Terim's "financial advisor"; "This is not financial consulting. It is a basic service that every branch manager provides to clients above a certain calibration level" he said.

"IT IS NOT WITH ERZAN, IT IS WITH THE BANK"

Lawyer Karataş also commented on the close relationship between Terim and Erzan, as well as Erzan's romantic involvement with Candaş Gürol:

"Erzan is a person who, by nature, is capable of building intimacy. This intimacy is not just with the coach. She has photos with all her clients on social media. She attended their weddings and funerals. He definitely expressed reservations about Candaş getting engaged to Seçil. At the end of the day, he says, 'These are grown adults. I can only express my reservations up to a point.'"

Stating that Terim did not provide money under the name of a 'fund' and that all investments were managed through accounts, lawyer Karataş explained the financial relationship "It is not with Erzan. It is with the bank. Seçil evaluated the investments based on the money deposited in the accounts" he explained.

HE HAD THE DOCUMENTS SIGNED ON THE SIDELINES

Stating that Terim's account was under the control of Seçil Erzan and that she accessed it as she pleased, Karataş said, "She says, 'Coach, we need to take this paper.' She has the documents signed on the sidelines in a rush, as a fait accompli."

Noting that the 3 million dollars Terim knew were in his account were indeed this money, Karataş stated, "According to us, there should be 3-3.5 million dollars in the account. (Did Erzan withdraw the money?) Seçil has a story about 'buying papers, treasury bonds, and funds.' After these investments, the amounts returned to the account. But we see that there are unexplained shortages in the accounts. Money was siphoned from the account in a way that would not attract attention." he said.

3.5 MILLION DOLLARS ARE MISSING

Stating that Erzan did indeed buy and sell, but that the 3-3.5 million dollars that should be there are missing, Karataş said regarding the transactions in question, "that Terim was made to sign documents in the blink of an eye." he claimed.

DID HE NOT HEAR THE NAME TERIM FUND?

"If an investment is made, many accounts are opened and closed in the coach's name. However, today, an attempt is being made to characterize the coach's entire history based on an Excel file," said Karataş. When asked whether Fatih Terim had heard of the 'Terim Fund,' he replied, "The term 'Fatih Terim Fund' emerged after Erzan was taken into custody. It did not exist before. Erzan has a story like this: 'If this person hears Terim's name, they will come without question or hesitation.' Coach Fatih's name is being brought to the forefront. There is an element even beyond that: Hakan Ateş. Ateş is the bank's general manager. His deputy, Mehmet Aydoğdu, is also there." he replied.

BUSE TERİM ALLEGATIONS

Karataş responded to the question of whether Fatih Terim was aware that his daughter, Buse Terim, had invested money in the fund in question by saying, "That is not possible. One must understand their family structure. The Fatih Terim phenomenon is a space of respect where the father-daughter relationship operates on emotional reflexes, where unlimited support is provided when needed, and where other matters are not interfered with." he answered.

Lawyer Karataş argued that although many people in his inner circle—including his daughter, son-in-law, close friends, his son-in-law's cousin, and his nephew—had invested money in the fund in question, Fatih Terim was unaware of the situation, 'When you enter that house with Fatih Hoca, you would say, "This is impossible, brother." The relationship is completely different' he said.

IS TERIM IN PROFIT?

Regarding the conversation between Arda Turan and Seçil Erzan that entered the case file, which asked, 'Is Fatih Terim in profit?', the lawyer stated, 'It is Seçil who is saying it. No one can know what is going on in the back of her mind.'

HE WENT FOR SUPPORT

Lawyer Karataş also explained the reason why Terim went to the bank with the players after the incident came to light: 'They want him there like a father figure. Let's go with a strong profile. It is purely for support. He goes to ensure they are not left alone.' he explains.

WHY IS HE NOT IN THE INDICTMENT?

Regarding why Fatih Terim's name does not appear in the case file despite him being a victim through the use of his name, the lawyer stated, "Because his complaint was separated under a different investigation number. Since money was withdrawn from his account, there is a possibility that it could be treated as embezzlement." he said.