Verdict in Bahar and Nihal Candan fraud case! Prison sentences handed down

The final hearing was held in the gang trial involving 21 defendants, 2 of whom were in custody, who were alleged to have defrauded citizens using the "sazan sarmalı" (carp spiral) method by claiming to sell vehicles at low prices under the leadership of Onur Apaydın and İlker Oflu. At the hearing held at the Küçükçekmece 5th High Criminal Court, the detained defendant Onur Apaydın, who was alleged to be the leader of the organization, and İlker Oflu connected via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). Complainant Bayram Serkan Zağlı and some non-detained defendants were also present in the courtroom. Non-detained defendant Bahar Candan did not attend the hearing.

"I WAS INCLUDED IN THE FILE BECAUSE A FEW PEOPLE GAVE MY NAME TO GET OUT OF PRISON"

Asked for his final statement, complainant Bayram Serkan Zağlı said, "My complaint continues, my losses have not been compensated to date, I request that the defendants be punished."

Asked for his final words, the detained organization manager defendant İlker Oflu stated, "I have been in custody for about two years, I am a victim because of this file, I request my release. I have health problems, I am a hypertension patient, I request that this be taken into account. I was included in the file because a few people gave my name to get out of prison."

Detained defendant and organization leader Onur Apaydın said in his final statement, "I examined the expert report; it is clear in the report that Ömer Şeker directed the parties and put them under pressure. I want a criminal complaint to be filed; I have nothing else to say at this stage."

231 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS PRISON SENTENCE FOR THE ORGANIZATION LEADER

Announcing its verdict, the court panel sentenced the detained organization leader Onur Apaydın to 231 years, 8 months, and 20 days in prison for the crimes of "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes" and "qualified fraud." The panel sentenced the detained defendant İlker Oflu, who was alleged to be an organization manager, to 2 years and 6 months for the crime of "membership in an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes," and ruled for his acquittal and release regarding 35 separate fraud charges on the grounds that no definitive and convincing evidence beyond any doubt was obtained.

DECISION TO DISMISS THE CASE AGAINST NİHAL CANDAN

The court sentenced the non-detained defendant Alisya Bahar Candan to 2 years and 6 months in prison for the crime of "membership in an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes." The panel acquitted the non-detained defendants Ayhan Güldan, Ömer Çapan, and Şahin Baran of all charges brought against them.

On the other hand, the court panel decided to "dismiss" the case against Nihal Candan, who was being tried without detention within the scope of the file and who passed away on June 21, 2025, due to an illness, on the grounds that she had passed away. The panel also sentenced the other defendants to prison terms of varying lengths.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

The indictment prepared by the Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office included 38 complainants, 1 complainant-suspect, and 21 defendants, including Nihal and Bahar Candan. The indictment also stated that the detained Gülnihal Çiçek was released with judicial control measures, taking into account the time she spent in custody. The indictment stated that the network led by Onur Apaydın and İlker Oflu defrauded citizens using the "sazan sarmalı" method by claiming to sell vehicles at low prices. It was noted in the indictment that Bahar and Nihal Candan were part of the hierarchical and organic structure of the criminal organization. The indictment continued, "Nihal and Bahar Candan participated in various television programs for a long time in the past, appeared in tabloid programs after becoming famous, and because they reached a large number of followers on social media platforms, they have a title referred to today as social media phenomena and screen faces; therefore, they are figures recognized by large segments of society, and due to this feature, they played an active role in deceiving victims at special meetings organized by the criminal organization for fraud activities." The indictment stated that organization leader Onur Apaydın carried out banking activities through Alisya Bahar Candan, who was in the position of 'secret accountant and treasurer' within the organization, and that the proceeds of the crime were laundered. On the other hand, suspect Hacı İsrafil Sağlam, who was responsible for procuring victims, stated in his testimony included in the indictment that he attended organization meetings and said, "Everyone from the upper level attended the meetings. Field staff and lower levels could never attend. Everyone in the upper management of the organization participated. I saw Nihal Candan in two of the meetings. Nihal Candan was the girlfriend of organization leader Onur Apaydın. Other individuals showed respect to Nihal Candan and acted at a distance. Topics regarding the internal functioning of the organization and car buying and selling businesses were discussed in the presence of Nihal Candan." The indictment also stated that it was requested that Bahar Candan be sentenced to a total of 14 to 44 years in prison, including 2 to 4 years for 'membership in a criminal organization' and 2 counts of 12 to 40 years for 'fraud by a person introducing themselves as a public official or an employee of a bank, insurance, or credit institution, or claiming to be associated with these institutions and organizations,' and that Nihal Candan be sentenced to 8 to 24 years in prison for the same crimes. On the other hand, prison sentences of varying lengths were requested for the other 20 suspects. Bahar Candan was released at the hearing held on September 20, 2024.

News Source: İHA