Seçil Erzan back in court: Arda Turan and Muslera testify

Müslim SARIYAR-12punto.com.tr

The fourth hearing of the case against banker Seçil Erzan, who is accused of defrauding numerous people, including famous names from the sports world, of millions of dollars with the promise of a high-yield fund, will be held today. 

In addition to the suspect Seçil Erzan, those summoned to testify as complainants for today's hearing include Arda Turan, Emre Belözoğlu, Selçuk İnan, and Fernando Muslera.are expected to attend. These famous figures are expected to explain in court how they were defrauded and how much money they lost.

MUSLERA WAS THE FIRST TO ARRIVE

The trial of former banker Seçil Erzan, who is accused of defrauding numerous people, including famous names from the sports world, of approximately 26 million dollars, has begun.

Ahead of the trial where bank branch manager Seçil Erzan, who faces up to 252 years in prison for allegedly defrauding a total of 21 people, is being tried alongside 7 other defendants, Galatasaray footballer Muslera arrived at the Istanbul Courthouse. 

MUSLERA TESTIFIED

Fernando Muslera provided his testimony through an interpreter.

He stated the following:

“I had testified previously. I met Seçil Erzan in 2011. They called me from the bank and made an offer. Seçil Erzan started calling me. Within 1.5 to 2 months, they offered a 35 percent return. Seçil Erzan said that Hakan Ateş and Mehmet Aydoğdu were the people in charge of the fund. I gave 700,000 dollars of my money. I gave my money to Mert Çetin. He delivered it to the Levent branch of Denizbank. In February 2023, I took 500,000 dollars from the bank and took it back to the branch, but I gave the money at the door without entering. He gave me a receipt stating that he had received the money. He only returned my 700,000 dollar principal. He used the earthquake as an excuse to buy time. The connection between me and Seçil Erzan was established by Musa Çetin.” 

They promised that no matter how much I invested, I would earn 35 percent in a period of about 1.5 to 2 months. Since they did not give me my money within the stated time, I was not interested in their subsequent offers. I am a complainant against Seçil Erzan. 

I INVESTED MY MONEY TRUSTING THE BANK'S NAME

Muslera responded to a question from Seçil Erzan's lawyer, Nazmiye Karabulut, who asked, 'Muslera said he did not know Seçil Erzan before.'

He only knew her from the bank. Did he give his money trusting Musa Mert Çetin or the bank?'

'I gave my money because I believed in the prestige of the bank's name. I only trusted Musa Mert Çetin to hand over my money.' he said.

When the presiding judge asked Muslera, 'Did she say anything to you like, "If I cannot get my money back, I will tell Fatih Terim, Hakan Ateş, or Mehmet Aydoğdu?"' Muslera replied, 'I told Mert Çetin that if I could not get the money back, I would complain to the bank's senior executives.' 

VOLKAN STATED THAT HIS FATHER-IN-LAW INVESTED MONEY IN THE FUND

Emre Belözoğlu, one of the clients, also appeared before the judge for the first time as a complainant.

Belözoğlu stated the following:

“I handed over 4 million 290 thousand dollars to Volkan Bahçekapılı. He then handed it over to Seçil Erzan. Before the first delivery, Seçil Erzan called me. She mentioned a fund headed by Hakan Ateş and Mehmet Aydoğdu. She told me that the more I invested, the higher my returns would be. I spoke with her after handing over the money. When I couldn't reach Ms. Seçil, I went to the bank. I waited in the office. Later, an inspector came to the bank. Volkan Bahçekapılı said that his wife and father-in-law had also invested money in the fund.” 

Presiding Judge: Can you reach the people you want whenever you want?

I WILL COME WHENEVER YOU CALL!

Emre Belözoğlu: Yes, I can reach the people I want whenever I want.

Presiding Judge: Did you call Hakan Ateş when you deposited the money?

Emre Belözoğlu: I didn't see the need for that at the time. I will come whenever you summon me. I am a complainant.

When asked by a lawyer, "Did Seçil Erzan tell you that Fatih Terim was in the fund? If she did, did you ask Fatih Terim about it?" Belözoğlu replied, "She said so, but I did not call coach Fatih." he said. 

COACH FATIH ACTED AS A PATRON TO US 

I did not call anyone because I trusted the receipts Seçil Erzan gave me. I called the inspectors because we could not reach Seçil Erzan. 

To a lawyer's “Did you go to the bank with Fatih Terim and Arda Turan after the incident?” question, he replied, “Fatih Hoca was our elder. I did not discuss this fund matter with Fatih Terim. He acted as a mentor to us. I witnessed it being called the “Fatih Terim fund” here.”

I GAVE IN TO MY DESIRES

Arda Turan spoke as follows in his testimony as a complainant:

"I visited her in Florya. She was a woman mythologized by her bank. She insisted that I bring deposits. I have never received interest in my entire life. She told me that the money I would earn from the fund was not interest. I gave in to my ego and accepted. I gave 13 million 900 thousand dollars in installments. When I asked for a receipt, she gave me a piece of paper. When I went to the branch, she showed me the screen. She was the star of the bank. I asked why we were handing over this money in cash. She replied that the money was going to the treasury. I deposited this money by trusting Denizbank. We are all victims. Denizbank is guilty. I handed the money to the branch manager. I lost 7.5 million dollars, but I did not insult anyone." 

IF I WEREN'T NAIVE, I WOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN THAT MUCH MONEY 

Sir, I am naive in these matters. If I weren't naive, would I have given that much money? I deposited the money by trusting Denizbank. There should have been footage of both my brother and me inside the bank. Why isn't there? She used to say we were giving it to the treasury official. She was sending us news about the fund. I learned at the end of January that there were other football players involved. 

Presiding Judge: "Do you want her to benefit from the effective remorse provisions?"

Arda Turan: "Sir, I just want to get my money back, I don't care if she stays in prison or not." 

DENIZBANK WAS A COMFORTABLE PLACE!

Turan, in response to a lawyer's "Where were you standing when you went to Denizbank?" question, "Whenever I went to Denizbank, she hosted me in her office. Denizbank was a very comfortable place. I was handing over the money at the bank" he stated.