In the second wave of operations carried out within the scope of the Can Holding investigation, detention orders were issued for 35 suspects. Teams from the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch detained 26 suspects in accordance with the decision.
Among those detained are Binsat Holding's Board Chairmen Arafat Bingöl and Cengiz Bingöl, former rector of Bilgi University Remzi Sanver, Mehmet Kenan Tekdağ, and the wives of Can Holding owners, Betül Can and Zühal Can.
During the searches conducted at the company headquarters and residences of the suspects, a large number of digital materials, documents, and valuable assets were seized. It was stated that three of the suspects are abroad.
In the investigation conducted by the Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Can Holding, the suspects were charged with "establishing a criminal organization," "tax evasion," "fraud," and "money laundering." Those detained by the Istanbul Gendarmerie Command were referred to the courthouse after their procedures at the gendarmerie.
Upon the prosecutor's request, Devran Çimen, Devran Can, Mehmet Kaya, Kemal Çimen, and Cemal Can were arrested, while Kenan Tekdağ was released under judicial control measures of "house arrest" and "prohibition of leaving the country."
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting a comprehensive investigation against Can Holding for crimes including Establishing and Managing an Organization for Committing Crimes, Membership in an Established Organization, Qualified Fraud, Violation of the Tax Procedure Law, Fuel Smuggling, and Money Laundering.
UNJUST PROFIT DETECTIONS
According to the report dated 17.02.2022 and numbered 2022/4 prepared by the Special Teams Branch of the Ministry of Commerce's General Directorate of Customs Enforcement, findings were identified indicating that many companies operating within Can Holding in the energy, technology, and durable consumer goods sectors obtained unjust profits through tax evasion by issuing fake invoices.
UNREGISTERED INVOICE CHAIN
From the obtained data, it was determined that high-value transactions were carried out through Energy Petroleum Products Inc. and its sub-dealers, which are under the holding's control, without any actual movement of goods. These transactions were assessed to be aimed at tax evasion and obtaining unjust profits through an unregistered invoice chain rather than physical fuel smuggling.
88 BILLION TL OF UNCERTAIN MOVEMENT
Additionally, it was noted in the investigation details that similar methods had been used in previous periods under different commercial titles, that the company managements were largely organized by the same individuals, and that these structures operated within a continuous organized systematic framework. In the MASAK report obtained within the scope of the investigation, it was stated that there was a total of 88 billion TL of financial movement with an uncertain source in the bank accounts of Can Holding and 121 related companies between 2020 and 2021.
ASSETS OF 121 COMPANIES SEIZED
In this context, 16 suspects, including Zaman Han Can, Mehmet Şakir Can, Kemal Can, Cemal Can, Murat Can, Devran Can, Rumert Onur Can, Mehmet Kaya, Betül Can, Zafer Özen, Mehmet Sıddık Kaya, Kemal Çimen, Sevda Çimen, and Zühal Can, were detained, and the assets of 121 companies were seized by court order.