A striking detail in the release of Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı

Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, who was detained on May 16 as part of an investigation conducted by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into charges of "illegal betting," "qualified fraud," "bribery," and "money laundering," was granted a release order on August 18.

Journalist Barış Pehlivan reported that Kütahyalı was released ex officio by the prosecutor's office. The release decision stated that new information and documents submitted by Kütahyalı through his lawyer were evaluated. The decision noted that concrete findings were presented regarding a correlation in terms of date and amount between the money transfers sent to Kütahyalı's account from accounts considered suspicious within the scope of the investigation and the POS transactions he claimed to have carried out himself.

It was stated that Kütahyalı also provided the identity and contact information of the individuals with whom he claimed to have performed the POS transactions to the investigative authorities, thereby making his defense verifiable and subject to audit. The decision further included an assessment that, when considering the stage the investigation has reached, the new information and documents submitted, and the existing evidence, the strong suspicion of a crime against Kütahyalı had diminished compared to the previous stage and that the evidence had been largely collected.

According to Barış Pehlivan, the justification for the release was explained in the decision as follows:

“Upon examination of the petitions and attached documents submitted to our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by the defense counsel of the suspect Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı; it has been observed that concrete findings capable of providing prima facie evidence for the defense have been presented, indicating a parallel in terms of date and amount between the money transfers sent to the suspect's accounts from accounts considered suspicious within the scope of the investigation and the POS withdrawal transactions reported to have been carried out by the suspect.

Furthermore, it is understood that the suspect has clearly set forth the identity and contact information of the individuals with whom he claims to have performed the POS withdrawal transactions, along with explanations regarding the transactions, thus making his defense researchable and verifiable.

When evaluating the stage the investigation has reached, the new information and documents submitted by the suspect, the nature of the existing evidence, and the concrete evidence indicating the existence of the strong suspicion of a crime necessary for the continuation of the detention measure, it has been concluded that the initial strong suspicion of a crime regarding the suspect has diminished at the current stage, that the evidence has been largely collected, and that the continuation of the detention measure would not be proportionate.”

News Source: 12punto