New development in Can Holding operation: Interrogations begin, he refused to testify

The operation against Can Holding, initiated by the Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office based on allegations of establishing a criminal organization to engage in fraud and smuggling activities, continues. In the investigation, where it is claimed that the companies were financed with illegal proceeds, 121 companies belonging to the suspects were seized.

FUGITIVE SUSPECT APPREHENDED IN AĞRI

In another operation carried out in the morning hours, fugitive suspect Mehmet Kaya was apprehended in Ağrı and brought to Istanbul. With the capture of Kaya, the number of detainees rose to 6. Suspects including Devran Çimen, Kemal Çimen, Mehmet Kenan Tekdağ, Devran Can, and Cemal Can had been taken into custody during the operation.

EFFORTS CONTINUE FOR BOSSES WHO HAVE NOT BEEN CAPTURED

It was learned that in the first phase of the operation, the holding's bosses Kemal Can, Mehmet Şakir Can, Rumert Onur Can, Murat Can, and Mehmet Kaya could not be found at their addresses and that efforts to capture them are ongoing. Operational work targeting these individuals continues.

INTERROGATIONS BEGIN, RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT EXERCISED

It was reported that Mehmet Kenan Tekdağ refused to testify to the Gendarmerie Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) branch teams and exercised his right to remain silent. Tekdağ stated that he would provide his statement to the prosecutor's office. While the interrogations of other suspects continue, they are expected to be referred to the courthouse tomorrow as part of the investigation.

It was reported that efforts to capture Kemal Can, Mehmet Şakir Can, Rumert Onur Can, and Murat Can, who are among the suspects taken into custody but have not yet been caught, are continuing.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was alleged that a criminal organization was established to commit crimes through companies operating under Can Holding, and that through this organization, multi-faceted actions were carried out regarding qualified fraud, tax evasion, introducing funds of unknown origin into company accounts, and money laundering of proceeds from crime.

The investigation was launched following reports from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and audit reports prepared by financial inspection units.

Within the scope of the investigation, it was alleged that large amounts of money of unknown origin were introduced through companies operating under Can Holding, that these funds were transferred between various companies to hide their tracks, and that tax liabilities were reduced through unbilled transactions and the issuance of fake documents.

It was claimed that the criminal organization established under the holding structure acted under the leadership of Kemal Can and Mehmet Şakir Can, making it difficult for audit and tracking mechanisms by establishing numerous companies in the same fields of activity, changing boards of directors, and distributing responsibility among organization members, thereby aiming to evade legal sanctions.

Furthermore, it was alleged that cash capital increases were made in companies with no commercial activity, that the "debts to partners" account was shown as the source of these capital increases, that these debts did not reflect the truth, that the amounts seen in the debts to partners account were re-invested in the company within the scope of the "Asset Peace Law No. 7256," and that these transactions constituted the inclusion and laundering of proceeds from crime into the system in a manner contrary to the purpose of the law.

In line with the findings obtained through MASAK reports, it was alleged that the criminal organization expanded its commercial volume through illegal proceeds obtained from predicate offenses such as "qualified fraud," "smuggling," and "opposition to the Tax Procedure Law," and that company acquisitions, share transfers, and investment activities in strategic sectors such as education, media, finance, and energy were directly financed with criminal proceeds, thereby aiming to both increase the organization's economic power and gain legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

In the operation, the assets of 121 companies were seized, a trustee was appointed by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), and detention warrants were issued for 10 suspects.

Istanbul Gendarmerie Command teams took 5 suspects into custody in the operation they conducted, including Can Yayın Holding Chairman of the Board Kenan Tekdağ.

Some of the companies to which trustees were appointed were reported as follows: "Habertürk Gazetecilik, Ciner Medya TV Hizmetleri, Show Televizyon Yayıncılık, Boğaziçi Radyo Televizyon Yayıncılığı ve Reklamcılık, Enerji Petrol Ürünleri Pazarlama, Doğa Okulları İşletmeciliği, Bilgi Doğa Eğitim İşletmeciliği, Turktobacco Sigara İç ve Dış Ticaret Pazarlama, HT Spor Televizyon Yayıncılık, and Bosphorus Medya Grubu Radyo ve Televizyon Yayıncılığı Anonim Şirketi."