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- October 13, 202618°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
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- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,946-2.06%
- October 13, 202618°
33 suspects remanded in custody in Istanbul-based citizenship probe
Thirty-three of the 74 suspects detained as part of an Istanbul-based investigation were remanded in custody. Twenty suspects were placed under house arrest, while 21 others were subjected to other judicial control measures.
Judicial proceedings at the criminal judgeship of peace have been completed for 74 suspects detained as part of an investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into foreign nationals who obtained Turkish citizenship through irregular means.
The judgeship ordered the detention of 33 suspects. Twenty suspects were placed under house arrest as a judicial control measure, while 21 others were subjected to other judicial control provisions.
Scope of the investigation
The investigation, conducted by the Organized Crime Investigation Bureau, was launched after authorities identified signs that some property sales involving foreign nationals who obtained Turkish citizenship through the purchase of real estate were sham transactions.
Records obtained from the Regional Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, expert reports, analyses by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), and other information and documents were assessed together. The investigation found that the foreign currency inflow required to obtain Turkish citizenship had not actually been provided and that the purchase and sale transactions had been carried out fraudulently using the financial resources of intermediary companies or sellers.
It was also determined that transactions in violation of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 had been conducted using falsely inflated property appraisal reports. The investigation examines the offenses of establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes, migrant smuggling, forgery of official and private documents, making false statements in the preparation of official documents, and fraud causing damage to public institutions and organizations.
Cancellation process launched for citizenships granted to 1,070 people
In a statement, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said it had determined that 1,070 foreign nationals had obtained Turkish citizenship as a result of irregular transactions. The statement said the total amount of $72.25 million that was required to be paid for these transactions was based on sham arrangements and that an administrative process had been launched to cancel the citizenships obtained through irregular means.
The investigation uncovered the criminal organization's hierarchical structure, flow of money and methods of operation, and identified shell companies allegedly used in the offenses. Investigators are also examining findings that foreign nationals were unlawfully provided with benefits.
Simultaneous operation in 13 provinces
A simultaneous operation was conducted in 13 provinces, including Istanbul, to apprehend 88 suspects as part of the investigation. Searches were carried out at 78 addresses and companies linked to the suspects.
During the searches, authorities seized digital materials, 2,011 properties, a hotel in Bağcılar, 86 motor vehicles, two yachts and 42 bank accounts. Thirty joint-stock companies were also seized and trustees were appointed to administer them.
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