Prosecutor seeks up to 5 years and 3 months in prison for Acun Ilıcalı: Investigation completed

The investigation conducted into Acun Ilıcalı, as well as officials from his television channel TV8 and the digital platform 'Exxen', regarding allegations of encouraging people to participate in illegal betting through advertisements, has been completed.

The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office lists 8 individuals, including Acun Ilıcalı, as 'suspects'. The indictment states that during the Montenegro vs. Turkey football match on November 19, 2024, broadcasts were made with the 'EXXEN' logo, and it was determined that advertisements for unlicensed and illegal betting sites were placed on stadium advertising boards and next to both goals using virtual advertising techniques.

The indictment notes that media service providers are fully responsible for ensuring that all broadcasts they offer comply with relevant legislation. While it was claimed that media service providers do not have control over the advertising banners on the sidelines, as they are under the initiative of the host football club or the federation, and that they have no legal responsibility in this regard, it was recorded that there is a clear administrative view that the access of these broadcasts to Turkey is provided by the media service provider and that the broadcaster is responsible for the content aired.

THEY DENIED THE ACCUSATIONS

The indictment states that in their defense, the 8 suspects—including Acun Ilıcalı, the chairman of the board of 'TV8 TV Yayıncılık A.Ş' and 'Exxen Dijital Yayıncılık A.Ş', as well as board members, responsible managers, editors-in-chief, and broadcast directors—claimed that match broadcasts were obtained from contracted organizations or sports clubs. They argued that they were obligated to broadcast the matches directly and without interference under the terms of their contracts, that the organizations or clubs providing the match feeds did not inform the broadcaster about the content, and that it was technically impossible to censor illegal betting advertisements during the live broadcast. Therefore, they stated that they, like many other broadcasters, were forced to air matches that contained illegal betting advertisements.

UP TO 5 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS IN PRISON REQUESTED FOR 8 SUSPECTS

The indictment requests that the suspects Acun Ilıcalı, Aslı Yaşaroğlu, Atilla Celiloğlu, Burcu Batu Fakir, Bülent Uçak, Ebru Atasav Tahrancı, Mustafa Tarık, and Ümmü Burhan be sentenced to between 1 year and 3 months and 5 years and 3 months in prison for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to place bets or play games of chance based on sports competitions through advertising or other means' in a chain of offenses.

News Source: İHA