Update from Dilan and Engin Polat
The trial of 28 defendants, including Dilan and her husband Engin Polat, continues at the Anatolian 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The charges they face include “establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime”, “laundering property values arising from crime”, and “violating the Law on the Organization of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions”.
Additionally, a separate investigation is being conducted against 6 defendants, including the Polat couple, for the crime of “violating the tax law”.
Dilan and Engin Polat appeared at the Anatolian Palace of Justice to testify as part of this investigation. Their statements were taken as “suspects” at the Tax Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In her statement, Dilan Polat claimed that she had no knowledge of the issue related to “opposition to the tax law”, while her husband Engin Polat stated that they conducted legitimate business activities in their company.
It was also mentioned that the statements of 4 other suspects, including father Sezgin Polat, will be taken in the investigation. An expert report revealed that the 7 companies under examination had caused a loss of 295 million lira to the public.
The case dates back to the operations conducted in November 2023 in 6 provinces centered in Istanbul, leading to the detention of 24 suspects, including Dilan Polat and Engin Polat. Subsequently, 16 of the suspects were arrested, and trustees were appointed to 27 companies by court order.
During a detention review, some of the defendants were released under judicial control provisions. Dilan Polat’s lawyer filed a petition of objection to the detention, resulting in her release.
Dilan and Engin Polat have been sentenced to a total of 20 to 40 years in prison for the crimes they are accused of. Meanwhile, at a hearing held on September 6, 4 detained defendants, including Engin Polat, were released.
Furthermore, a separate investigation has been initiated against 6 defendants, including the Polat couple, for violations of the tax law. The trials of all defendants are ongoing as per the indictment.
