Opinion presented in the trial of Kerimcan Durmaz! Prison time requested...

The trial of social media influencer Kerimcan Durmaz, who was arrested on January 8 and released on February 20 on charges of encouraging people to gamble by advertising illegal betting sites, has continued.

Lawyers for both parties were present at the hearing held at the Istanbul 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance.

OPINION PRESENTED: REQUEST FOR UP TO 5 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS IN PRISON

Presenting the prosecutor's opinion on the merits at the hearing, the public prosecutor requested that the defendant Durmaz be sentenced to between 1 year and 3 months and 5 years and 3 months in prison for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to play fixed-odds or mutual betting or games of chance based on sports competitions through advertising or other means' in a chain manner.

HEARING ADJOURNED

Announcing its interim decision, the court adjourned the hearing, ruling that the defense side be granted time to prepare their defense against the presented opinion.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Spor Toto Organization Presidency was listed as the 'aggrieved party,' while Kerimcan Durmaz was listed as the 'suspect.' The indictment noted that Durmaz encouraged betting or games of chance by appearing in illegal betting site advertisements filmed with his knowledge, that his actions posed a danger given his large social media following and reach, and that by promoting illegal betting and gambling, he normalized these activities in the eyes of society and caused harm to the public.

"YOU KNOW, CASINOS AND SUCH"

The indictment further stated that although the suspect Durmaz claimed he did not accept the charges, an examination of the footage showed that the suspect turned his back while the illegal betting sites were being displayed on LED screens as advertisements. It was noted that it would be contrary to the ordinary course of life for him not to have seen the images displayed on the LED screens, and that he also made remarks such as "you know, casinos and such" at that time.

REQUEST FOR UP TO 5 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS IN PRISON

The prepared indictment requested that the suspect Kerimcan Durmaz be sentenced to between 1 year and 3 months and 5 years and 3 months in prison for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to play fixed-odds or mutual betting or games of chance based on sports competitions through advertising or other means' in a chain manner.

News Source: İHA