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Fifteen of the 17 suspects detained in a money laundering investigation in Istanbul have been remanded in custody, while two were released under judicial supervision. The inquiry, coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, concerns allegations that large sums of money of unknown origin were laundered through companies set up in Turkey and abroad.

The Financial Crimes Division of the Istanbul Police Department carried out the operation. Prosecutors said complainants reported investment agreements, transfers and a boat sale worth millions of euros, and alleged they were threatened after passing documents to journalist Murat Ağırel.

Origins of the investigation

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said the inquiry was opened after allegations that two German nationals, identified only as K.P. and M.B., carried out transactions to launder large amounts of money of unknown origin through companies established in Turkey and abroad. Investigators are examining claims that the funds were not used in line with investment agreements and that proceeds of crime were given the appearance of legality.

Complainants told prosecutors that a contract worth 80 million euros was drawn up and a money transfer of 100 million euros was carried out. They also alleged that the transfer abroad of a 1 billion euro fund via loans, using public power and influence, had been promised, and that a boat was sold for 1.5 million euros.

Threat allegations and detention orders

According to the prosecutor's office, the complainants said they provided information and documents about the matter to Murat Ağırel and were threatened after those materials were passed on to the people involved. A statement from the prosecutor's office said that, after evaluating the complainants' testimony, audio and video recordings they submitted, and evidence gathered during the inquiry, detention orders were issued for Emir Sarıgül, Ömer Sarıgül, Aylin Kotil, Volkan Aslanbaş, Cavidan Tanrah Artuner and Murat Ağırel.

Istanbul police detained Ömer Sarıgül, Kotil, Aslanbaş, Artuner and Ağırel. Caner Baş, Cihan Durak, Zekai Erdem, Cihat Salman, Selim Daşdemir, Özgür Bölükbaşı, Bayram Özata, Cemil Vasken Barın, Zekeriya Yasemin, Mehmet Ali Aslan, Sadullah Ergün and Uğur Kurtulan were apprehended as the operation continued.

Court decisions

Police completed procedures on the 17 suspects, who were taken to the courthouse after a health check. Following prosecution questioning, 15 suspects were referred to a criminal peace judgeship on a request for arrest: Ömer Sarıgül, Özgür Bölükbaşı, Sadullah Ergün, Selim Daşdemir, Volkan Aslanbaş, Zekai Erdem, Zekeriya Yasemin, Aylin Kotil, Bayram Özata, Caner Baş, Cavidan Tanrah Artuner, Cihan Durak, Cihat Salman, Murat Ağırel and Mehmet Ali Aslan.

Cemil Vasken Barın and Uğur Kurtulan were referred to the judgeship with a request for judicial supervision. The court granted the prosecution's request, ordering the detention of 15 suspects and placing two under judicial supervision.

Separate referral and ongoing proceedings

Emir Sarıgül, for whom a detention order was issued as part of the investigation, came to the police department, where procedures are continuing, according to information obtained.

The allegations concerning Mustafa Sarıgül, a member of the 28th term of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, will be referred separately to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The prosecutor's office said the investigation is ongoing.

Key takeaways

• Fifteen suspects were remanded in custody and two were placed under judicial supervision after an Istanbul money laundering inquiry.
• The probe concerns claims that funds of unknown origin were laundered through companies set up in Turkey and abroad.
• Complainants allege threats after passing documents to journalist Murat Ağırel.
• Allegations against Mustafa Sarıgül will be sent separately to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.