Match-fixing conspiracy case back on the agenda: Hacker detail draws attention

As part of the investigation into the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization, notable developments have occurred regarding the 'match-fixing operation' of July 3, 2011. Following the realization that the operation was a conspiracy, an investigation was launched against former basketball player and former TFF Vice President Lütfi Arıboğan, Turkish National Olympic Committee (TMOK) President Ahmet Gülüm, former TFF Chief Legal Counsel lawyer İlhan Helvacı, and former Galatasaray Board Member Ebru Köksal. These individuals are accused of aiding the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization and violating the confidentiality of an investigation.

BARANSU'S ROLE

According to the statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, investigations are being conducted into 4 individuals determined to have been in contact with Mehmet Baransu as part of the inquiry. Former journalist Mehmet Baransu was known for the forged documents he published in the Taraf newspaper of the time and had been sentenced to prison. The investigation is being conducted into how Baransu obtained these documents.

PROSECUTOR'S INSTRUCTION: STATEMENTS TAKEN

Within the scope of the investigation, Lütfi Arıboğan, Ahmet Gülüm, İlhan Helvacı, and Ebru Köksal were summoned to give statements on charges of 'aiding the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization' and 'violating the confidentiality of an investigation'. Instructions were sent to the Istanbul Police Department, and the suspects were referred to the courthouse. Following their statements to the prosecutor, Lütfi Arıboğan and İlhan Helvacı were released under a travel ban and a signature requirement. Ahmet Gülüm and Ebru Köksal were released without judicial control measures.

THE ROLE OF HACKERS

At the heart of the investigation is the fact that hackers cracked the password of Lütfi Arıboğan's email address and sent some important correspondence to Fenerbahçe Sports Club High Council President Şekip Mosturoğlu. Mosturoğlu applied to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on May 16 regarding this correspondence and filed a complaint. Şekip Mosturoğlu alleged that the then-TFF Vice President Lütfi Arıboğan manipulated UEFA and also leaked documents to Mehmet Baransu.

FETÖ IS BEHIND THE CONSPIRACY

The 2011 match-fixing investigation is considered one of the conspiracy operations of the FETÖ/PDY terrorist organization. The forged documents provided by FETÖ were published in the Taraf newspaper of the time, and the operation was launched based on these documents. Members of the FETÖ/PDY terrorist organization caused public officials to conduct irregular investigations. Many club executives and football players, primarily former Fenerbahçe Sports Club President Aziz Yıldırım, were targeted.

FACTS BEHIND THE 2011 OPERATION

With the instruction of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a large number of club executives and football players were detained as a result of simultaneous operations carried out on July 3, 2011. The investigation, conducted by FETÖ's prosecutor Zekeriya Öz, had started based on allegations of match-fixing and incentive bonuses. In the case with 93 defendants, while some were punished, 45 people were acquitted. However, the trial process continued after the Supreme Court of Appeals' reversal decisions, and the defendants were retried in 2014 following the abolition of special authorized courts. The Supreme Court of Appeals reversed some verdicts and upheld others.

THE EXPOSURE OF THE CONSPIRACY

In 2016, a large number of journalists and police officers were detained in connection with the FETÖ conspiracy operation. In the case opened in 2017, thousands of years of prison sentences were given to the defendants regarding the match-fixing case, which was determined to be a conspiracy. Aziz Yıldırım was released in 2012, one year after entering prison.

101 PHONE TRAFFIC WITH BARANSU

One of the important findings of the investigation was that there were 101 phone calls between Lütfi Arıboğan and Mehmet Baransu. As a result of the examinations conducted, it was revealed that Arıboğan and Baransu provided information and documents to certain individuals who were directing the match-fixing investigation. It is alleged that they acted in line with the interests of FETÖ/PDY.