The executives of "Papara," an electronic money and payment services platform, have been formally charged. Five managers, including the platform's owner Ahmet Faruk Karslı, face prison sentences ranging from 14 to 28 years.
On May 27, as part of the investigation into "illegal betting," numerous individuals, including Karslı, were detained, and a trustee was appointed for ten companies, including Papara. Subsequently, 11 people were imprisoned.
According to Habertürk reporter Ceylan Severin, the investigation has concluded, and the indictment has been prepared. Five managers, including Karslı, are facing 14 to 28 years in prison. Additionally, a 50 million Turkish Lira administrative fine is requested for Karslı. For 20 individuals alleged to be part of the organization, up to 24 years in prison is being sought.
The prosecution claims that Papara executives committed crimes including "illegal betting," "establishing a criminal organization," and "money laundering." The indictment includes the following claims: "Papara conducted secret agreements with illegal betting organizations. The Papara system was directly integrated with illegal betting sites."
It is alleged that over two years, 12 billion Lira in illegal betting funds flowed through Papara. The indictment also highlights Karslı’s financial transactions: "120 million Lira sent to his spouse, mother, and brother, 450 million Lira to partner Ertuğrul D., and 27 million Lira to Asuman Ş."
Karslı’s statement in the indictment reads: "It was possible for Papara users to send money to illegal betting sites. Using Papara as a bank account was one of our objectives. I have no agreements with betting sites."
The indictment also contains testimonies from two anonymous witnesses, "Ihlamur" and "Ladin." "Ihlamur" claims, "Papara manages the payment traffic of illegal betting sites," while "Ladin" asserts, "Papara is the system that has laundered the most money in Turkey. A civil servant from the Cyber Crimes Unit became Papara’s executive after retiring."
The indictment, submitted to the Istanbul Asliye Criminal Court, includes the Central Bank’s audit report, summarizing:
- Between 2021 and 2023, 26,012 Papara accounts were used on illegal betting sites.
- Total transaction volume: 12 billion Lira
- Funds were transferred to 274 bank accounts and five crypto wallets
