Detention warrants issued for 31 lawyers in personal data investigation: Searches conducted at 39 law firms

As part of a personal data investigation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, detention warrants have been issued for 31 lawyers. Searches and seizures have been initiated at 39 law firms within the scope of the investigation.

The case is investigating allegations that citizens' personal data were obtained through illegal means and used in query systems known as "panels." It was stated that the investigation has been expanded following the efforts of the Istanbul Police Department's Cyber Crimes Branch.

PANEL SYSTEM ALLEGATIONS

In the file conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Cyber Crimes Investigation Bureau, it was alleged that these systems were sold to certain law firms for a fee and used via a subscription model.

According to allegations reflected in the investigation file, some firms accessed the information of individuals with whom they had no legal relationship through these systems. It was claimed that the suspects used the personal data they obtained to reach out to citizens, using phrases such as "Your debt has been sent to legal follow-up," "You missed the settlement process," and "Foreclosure proceedings have been initiated against you."

While it is alleged that a large number of people were victimized by this method, it was reported that a public lawsuit was filed in the previous stage of the investigation against 10 suspects who were assessed to have established, operated, and participated in the revenue stream of the illegal system.

With the expansion of the investigation, detention warrants were issued for 31 lawyers against whom concrete evidence was reportedly found regarding their use of the illegal "panel" system. It was reported that search and seizure operations are ongoing at 39 different law firms.

It was noted that Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek stated that the unlawful acquisition and commercial use of personal data is unacceptable and sent a message that the investigation is being conducted meticulously.

AKP-LINKED NAMES ALSO EMERGE

According to open-source research included in the report, the names linked to some of the law firms subject to the operation include relatives of AKP politicians and former party officials.

In this context, the name of Mehmet Semih Demir, nephew of AKP Deputy Chairman for Local Governments Mustafa Demir, was mentioned for MSD Law Firm, and the name of Ömer Faruk Alpay, son of former Deputy Minister of Defense Şuay Alpay, was mentioned for Doğuş Law Firm.

Furthermore, it was reported that Kulaklı Legal Law Firm was linked to former AKP İstanbul Provincial Vice Chairman Emrah Kulaklı, Partner Law to Faruk Solmaz, son of former Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor and Supreme Court Prosecutor Ramazan Solmaz, and Fırat Law to former Ataşehir District Board Member Seçil Fırat.

Among the firms stated to be subject to the investigation are numerous addresses including Yıldız Law and Consultancy, Yılkar Law, Ufuk Özkan Göker Law Firm, Uluca Law Partnership, Universal Law & Consultancy, Kaçmaz Law Office, Fırat Law & Consultancy, Doruk Law Firm, Orhon Law Firm, Solmaz Partner Law, Kulaklı Legal Law, MSD Law Firm, Doğuş Law Firm, Denge Law Firm, and Akpolat & Koç Law Firm.

News Source: 12punto