The first hearing of the trial at the Anatolian 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance was attended by the detained defendants Engin Polat, Alper Kürşat Polat, Sezgin Polat, and Ahmet Gün. Dilan Polat, along with other released defendants and their lawyers, were also present at the hearing. The proceedings began with the identification of the defendants.
In November 2023, operations were conducted in 6 provinces across Turkey, resulting in the arrest of 24 suspects, including Dilan Polat and her husband Engin Polat. During the investigation, 16 of the suspects, including Dilan Polat, Engin Polat, and Sinem Sıla Doğu, were detained, and a court ruled for the appointment of trustees to 27 companies.
During the monthly detention review on June 14th, the Peace Criminal Judgeship ruled for the application of judicial control measures and the release of several suspects, including Dilan Polat’s siblings and other individuals. Dilan Polat’s lawyer filed a petition challenging her detention with the Anatolian 8th Heavy Penal Court on August 19th, resulting in her release.
The indictment prepared by the Anatolian Republic Prosecutor’s Office alleges that illegally obtained money was laundered by being transferred into the system without using the “cold wallet method.” It also states that the organization engaged in legitimate business activities to complicate tracking and control due to their rapid rise in fame and recognition during the illegal activities. The indictment further details the establishment of multiple companies to create an illusion of wealth coming from legitimate trade, using fake invoices and keeping external secret records in addition to legally required books.
The indictment calls for the seizure of the assets of the 31 companies investigated and the transfer of ownership to the public. Dilan and Engin Polat are facing charges of “establishing and managing a criminal organization with the aim of committing a crime,” “money laundering,” and “violating the Law on the Organization of Football and Other Sports Competitions and Betting.” The indictment seeks 40 years of imprisonment for each of them, while the remaining defendants are also requested to be sentenced to varying prison terms for different crimes.
