Indictment prepared in Papara investigation: Here are the requested prison sentences
The indictment prepared as part of the illegal betting investigation into Papara reveals that 12 billion TL was transferred through Papara over two years, with funds being directed to hundreds of bank accounts and crypto wallets.
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Papara Elektronik Para A.Ş. has faced significant developments in an investigation conducted over allegations that it played a role in the transfer of illegal betting proceeds and facilitated money transfers for betting organizations. In the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 13 suspects, including Papara owner Ahmet Faruk Karslı, were arrested on charges of “Violation of Law No. 7258,” “Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing Crimes,” “Membership in an Established Organization,” and “Laundering Assets Derived from Crime.”
12 BILLION TL IN ILLEGAL BETTING MONEY
As the Papara investigation concludes, the indictment prepared—according to a report by Ceylan Sever from Habertürk—includes striking findings. The documents state that a total of 12 billion TL in illegal betting money passed through Papara over the last two years.
The indictment includes information that Karslı sent large sums of money to his family and associates. Accordingly, it was noted that Karslı transferred a total of 120 million TL to his wife, mother, and siblings, 450 million TL to his partner Ertuğrul Doğan, and 27 million TL to Asuman Şener.
The file also contains the statements of two secret witnesses. One secret witness, “Ihlamur,” stated, “Papara manages the payment traffic of illegal betting sites,” while another witness, “Ladin,” claimed, “Papara is the system that has laundered the most money in Turkey's history. An officer who worked in the Cyber Crimes unit became a Papara executive after retiring.”
“FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO 274 BANK ACCOUNTS AND CRYPTO WALLETS”
According to the Central Bank audit report reflected in the indictment, 26,012 Papara accounts were used for illegal betting transactions between 2021 and 2023. While the total transaction volume was recorded as 12 billion TL, it was stated that these funds were transferred to 274 bank accounts and 5 crypto wallets.
The indictment alleges that Papara was in a secret agreement with illegal betting organizations, assessing that “The Papara system was designed to work in direct integration with illegal betting sites.”
The prosecution stated that Papara executives committed the crimes of “illegal betting,” “establishing a criminal organization,” and “money laundering.” In this context, prison sentences of up to 28 years were requested for 5 executives, including Ahmet Faruk Karslı, and up to 24 years for 20 defendants alleged to be members of the organization.
The prepared indictment has been sent to the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance.