27.01.2026 15:08
In the case of the phenomenon Kerimcan Durmaz, who is being tried for allegedly promoting illegal betting advertisements, the opinion was announced. The prosecution requested that Durmaz be sentenced to up to 5 years and 3 months in prison.
The trial of social media influencer Kerimcan Durmaz, who was arrested on January 8 on the charge of encouraging people by advertising illegal gambling and was released on February 20, continued. The lawyers of both parties were present at the hearing held at the Istanbul 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance.
PROSECUTOR SEEKS UP TO 5 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS IN PRISON
In the hearing, the public prosecutor, who presented his opinion on the merits of the case, requested that the defendant Durmaz be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 3 months to 5 years and 3 months for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to place advertisements and in other ways to engage in fixed-odds or pool betting or games of chance based on sports competitions' in a repeated manner.
HEARING ADJOURNED
The court, which announced its interim decision, ruled to adjourn the hearing to give the defense side time to prepare a defense against the opinion presented.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Sports Toto Organization was included as the 'victim of the crime', while Kerimcan Durmaz was included as the 'suspect'. The indictment stated that Durmaz encouraged betting or games of chance by participating in advertisements for illegal betting sites filmed with his knowledge, and that Durmaz, who has a large following on social media and appeals to a wide audience, posed a danger with his actions, normalizing illegal betting and gambling in the eyes of society and causing harm to the community.
"WHAT ABOUT CASINOS?"
The indictment also noted that although the suspect Durmaz claimed not to accept the charges against him, when the relevant footage was examined, it was observed that the suspect turned his back while the advertisements for illegal betting sites were being displayed on the LED screen, and that it was contrary to the ordinary course of life for him not to see the images reflected on the LED screens. Additionally, it was recorded that he made statements such as 'what about casinos?' at that time.
The indictment requested that the suspect Kerimcan Durmaz be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 3 months to 5 years and 3 months for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to place advertisements and in other ways to engage in fixed-odds or pool betting or games of chance based on sports competitions' in a repeated manner.