Striking indictment in Maydonoz Döner investigation: Up to 25 years in prison requested for 9 suspects

The FETÖ investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the Maydonoz Döner restaurant chain, which has been placed under trusteeship, has been completed. The indictment prepared by the Terrorism Crimes Investigation Bureau requests up to 25 years in prison for each of the 9 suspects on charges of "membership in an armed terrorist organization" and "violating the Law on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism."

THE ORGANIZATION'S SEARCH FOR A CURRENT STRUCTURE

The indictment states that FETÖ is attempting to revitalize its current structure in Turkey. It is noted that the organization continues its strategy of secrecy while carrying out new activities and developing alternative methods for financing its members. In this context, it is alleged that the Maydonoz Döner chain, which operates under Somca Gıda AŞ, provided financing to the organization.

It is claimed that financial resources were transferred to the organization's current structure through the business's branches across Turkey, and that support was also provided by offering employment opportunities to members of the organization.

FINANCIAL NETWORK AND MASAK FINDINGS

Within the scope of the investigation, it was recorded that the suspects were official or unofficial partners in branches located in various districts of Ankara. The indictment states that it was determined that fugitive FETÖ members located abroad were also unofficial partners in some branches in Turkey.

It was stated that regular monthly profit shares were sent to these individuals, and that money was also transferred to the branches from abroad. It was noted that these funds, which were delivered to members of the organization, were sent through invoices issued under the guise of "product purchases." The allegation that large amounts of "himmet" (donations) were collected in the branches to employ members of the organization was also included.

The indictment includes information that while the branch owners or official partners did not have records of organizational membership, their relatives were linked to the organization and were unofficial partners in the branches.

The MASAK report determined that money was transferred to company accounts by many individuals linked to the organization, that the suspects' account activities were unusual, and that there was a discrepancy between their income levels and bank transactions.

CHARGES AGAINST THE SUSPECTS

The indictment recalls that the suspects Ahmet Mutlu Köylü, Bahadır Tatlıbaş, Cevat Dalli, Ebubekir Torun, Emrah Ak, Huzur Özer, Mustafa Sayın, Mustafa Yavuz Özmen, and Tahsin Özbay had previously been investigated for "membership in an armed terrorist organization."

It was stated that after these individuals were convicted of organizational membership, their re-establishing contact with the organization and engaging in activities requiring continuity constituted the "crime of re-membership."

It was noted that the suspects maintained organizational communication through the Signal application and played a role in transferring funds obtained from domestic and international sources to members of the organization.