Türkiye: Second wave of Can Holding investigation sees 26 people detained

Turkish authorities have carried out a second operation in the ongoing investigation into Can Holding, detaining 26 individuals across four provinces.

The probe follows suspicions of irregular financial activity worth 88 billion Turkish lira linked to the holding and its 121 affiliated companies, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Among those taken into custody are businessman Arafat Bingöl, former rector of Istanbul Bilgi University Remzi Sanver, and Kenan Tekdağ, who had previously been released under house arrest conditions. Other detainees include spouses of Can Holding owners Şakir Can and Murat Can.

Background of the investigation

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has been investigating Can Holding executives for alleged offences, including forming and managing a criminal organisation, membership of an organisation, money laundering, and aggravated fraud. The probe also covers allegations of tax evasion, fuel smuggling, and other financial crimes.

A report from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) revealed 88 billion TL ($2.10 million) in suspicious financial transactions in the accounts of Can Holding and its associated companies between 2020 and 2021. The report indicated that some transactions involved high-value invoices for goods that were never actually moved, suggesting a systematic scheme of tax evasion and illicit profit.

Details of the operation

The latest operation was coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and carried out simultaneously in Istanbul, Mersin, Iğdır, and İzmir. A total of 35 suspects were targeted, with 26 detained so far. Investigators also seized assets belonging to 121 companies linked to the holding.

According to the prosecution, three suspects are currently abroad, while authorities continue to search for six others. Numerous documents, digital records, and other valuables were confiscated from company offices and private residences.

Previous developments

Earlier in the investigation, Kemal Can, alleged founder and leader of the criminal organisation, was arrested on charges of managing a criminal network and concealing the origins of assets. Media owner Turgay Ciner, whose Ciner Holding acquired Can Holding’s media assets, including Show TV and Habertürk, also faced a detention order over alleged money-laundering activities linked to the organisation.

Previously, ten people were detained in connection with the case, with six taken into custody and five subsequently remanded in prison. Kenan Tekdağ, head of the media group, was released under house arrest.

Who is Remzi Sanver?

Born in 1970, Mehmet Remzi Sanver served as rector of Istanbul Bilgi University from 2011 to 2015. He is currently a research professor at LAMSADE, Paris Dauphine University, affiliated with France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). Sanver has also held roles as general secretary and board spokesperson at Galatasaray University.

By Aghakazim Guliyev