Sneijder denies 'Comanchero' allegations: Everything was legal

Former Galatasaray and Netherlands national football team player Wesley Sneijder has denied allegations that he was a 'secret partner' of the criminal organization Comanchero.

According to a report by Yusuf Özkan from BBC Türkçe, Sneijder announced that he would initiate legal action against certain media outlets in Turkey that published these claims, stating, "Everything was checked. Everything we did was completely legal."

A report in Turkey, citing the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), had alleged that Sneijder was 'involved in money laundering activities' for the international organized crime group Comanchero. The report further claimed that Wesley Sneijder was a secret partner in a construction company owned by a businessperson who was detained as part of the Comanchero operation.

In a statement to the Dutch media, Sneijder said these reports do not reflect the truth. Expressing his disappointment over the reports, the former footballer said, "I just want my name removed from these reports in Turkey now. Because this is slander." MASAK has not issued a statement regarding the matter.

Wesley Sneijder stated that he invested in a construction company between 2013 and 2017, while he was playing for Galatasaray, and said, "Things did not go very well at the company where I bought shares. Construction was halted. I wanted to get a return on my investment, but nothing came of it." Adding that "This cost me a few million euros," Sneijder continued: "I have all the documents regarding the official transfer of shares. All monetary transactions can be meticulously tracked."

WHAT HAPPENED?

In an operation conducted in Turkey in November, the fugitive leader of the Comanchero, Hakan Reis (who had changed his surname from "Ayık" to "Reis"), who was wanted in Australia on charges of drug trafficking, was detained along with 36 other people.

18 of the suspects, including Hakan Reis, were arrested. Leading figures of the Comanchero organization are accused of global money laundering, drug and arms trafficking, causing death, and extortion.

News Source: 12punto