The trial of social media influencer İbrahim Yılmaz, who is accused of "encouraging individuals to advertise and otherwise promote fixed-odds or pool betting or gambling based on sports events" for illegal betting advertisements in Istanbul, has begun. The hearing, held at the Istanbul 24th Criminal Court of First Instance, was attended by the detained defendant İbrahim Yılmaz via the Audio and Visual Information System. The defendant's lawyer was present in the courtroom. "MY AIM WAS NOT TO ADVERTISE BETTING"During the hearing, defendant Yılmaz, who made his defense, stated that he is a content creator and that he records videos by extending a microphone to the public, saying, "I extend a microphone to the public, and if they follow me, I give them money. I earn money from companies based on the number of views of the videos I share. My aim is not to advertise illegal betting; I earn money through advertisements." HE WAS ORDERED TO BE RELEASEDAfter taking the defendant's statement into account, the court announced its interim decision, ruling for the release of defendant Yılmaz under judicial control conditions and ordering the resolution of missing issues, and adjourned the hearing.
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