Yaşama Tutunan Patiler Association President Buket Özgünlü arrested

An investigation was launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Smuggling and Organized Crime Investigation Bureau into a total of 18 suspects, including association executives and other relevant individuals, who were alleged to have obtained illicit gains by misappropriating donations collected under the name of the 'Yaşama Tutunan Patiler Association' and acquiring assets. 

According to the evidence collected and the expert report obtained from Court of Accounts expert auditors, detention warrants were issued for 9 suspects alleged to have obtained approximately 20 million lira in illicit gains, while the other 9 suspects were summoned to provide statements and were released following the procedures. 

HER BROTHER-IN-LAW AND SISTER WERE ALSO AMONG THE SUSPECTS

While 8 of the suspects for whom detention warrants were issued were taken into custody in a simultaneous operation, it was determined that 1 suspect was abroad. The 8 suspects, including association president Buket Özgünlü, her brother-in-law, and her sister, were brought to the courthouse today following a health check.

Following the completion of their questioning by the prosecutor's office, the suspects were referred to the Duty Magistrate's Court. Among them, Yaşama Tutunan Patiler Association President Buket Özgünlü, Özgünlü's sister Demet K., and Ertan I., the owner of a shop named 'Papağan Evi', were arrested on charges of 'misconduct in office' and 'laundering of assets' and sent to prison. The other 4 suspects were released under judicial control measures.

News Source: İHA