New development in Can Holding investigation: Testimony of arrested Kemal Can revealed!

The 'smuggling' and 'fraud' investigation launched by the Istanbul Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into Can Holding continues.

While 10 people were detained as part of the investigation, 6 people, including Can Holding Chairman of the Board Kemal Can, were arrested. A house arrest decision was issued for Mehmet Kenan Tekdağ, Chairman of the Board of Can Yayın Holding.

The ongoing investigation extended to the Ciner Group with allegations that "money laundering obtained from organized criminal activities was carried out during the sale of Ciner Medya to Can Holding." An arrest warrant was issued for Turgay Ciner, the boss of the Ciner Group, who is abroad.

While 12 people from the Ciner Group were detained, Turgay Ciner's son Atilla Ciner and Ciner Glass A.Ş. CEO Gökhan Şen were arrested, and trustees were appointed to the group's companies.

Mehmet Kenan Tekdağ, who was released under judicial control in the form of house arrest, exercised his right to remain silent while in gendarmerie custody, but in his statement to the prosecutor's office regarding the sale of Ciner Medya to Can Holding, he said, "The company that purchased the shares of Ciner Yayın Holding, of which I am the Chairman of the Board, from Park Holding, which is the owner, is the purchasing company. I conducted this transaction as the chief legal counsel for Park Holding, which was the seller side."

Stating that the sale of Ciner Medya to Can Holding took place for a total of 575 million dollars, Tekdağ responded to allegations that 350 million dollars of unknown origin were used in the acquisition process by saying, "I do not know the source of the money for the transaction."

The testimony of Kemal Can, who was arrested as part of the investigation, has also been obtained. According to the report by Sabah Newspaper, Kemal Can explained the transactions made during the process of purchasing Ciner Medya as follows:

"There was a tender for the purchase of the Çayırhan Thermal Power Plant. It previously belonged to Turgay Ciner. Due to Kenan Tekdağ's relationship with Ciner, I requested that he ask Tekdağ, out of courtesy, whether there would be any objection to entering the tender for the purchase of this thermal power plant."

In his testimony, Kemal Can stated that Kenan Tekdağ conveyed the matter to Turgay Ciner and that Ciner informed him that he saw no objection. He also stated that Ciner brought up an offer for the sale of the thermal power plant in Silopi and the media group.

"Because I was unfamiliar with the sector and my family had reservations about this issue, I did not approach it very warmly," said Can, adding that they first agreed on 600 million dollars and later on 575 million dollars for the purchase of Ciner Medya.

Stating that he made a total payment of 350 million dollars, with 275 million dollars in cash and 75 million dollars partially, Can said, "I only met with Turgay Ciner during the negotiation phase. Kenan Tekdağ's contribution to the process was at the very beginning of the business."

“MONEY LAUNDERING” QUESTION ANSWERED AS ‘ACCOUNTING MATTER’

Can, who did not directly answer questions regarding the money laundering allegations directed at him, stated, "Since it is an accounting matter, I think it would be more appropriate for the relevant authorities to answer."