10.04.2026 22:56
Following the arrest of Remzi Sanver, the President of the Free and Accepted Masons Association, as part of the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against 'Can Holding', a trustee was appointed to the association by the court due to the "inability to hold a general assembly."
As part of the Can Holding investigation, a trustee was appointed to the Association of Freemasons, whose president, Remzi Sanver, is imprisoned in Marmara Closed Prison, due to his inability to hold a general assembly.
COMPLAINT FROM AN ASSOCIATION MEMBER In the complaint petition submitted to the Duty Peace Court by one of the members of the association, Ali Rıza Aral, regarding the inability to hold a general assembly, the following statements were included: "The defendant Remzi Sanver was arrested on October 17, 2025, due to the allegations made against him and was placed in prison. Thus, he is unable to perform the duties of the Association Presidency. Article 28 of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons states, 'In the event that the Grand Master position becomes vacant due to death, resignation, or any other reason, the Grand Lodge shall be convened within 3 months, and the Grand Master shall be elected.' As we have stated above, although the 3-month period written in the constitution expired on January 20, 2026, there has been no resignation, and the position of the Association Presidency has remained vacant, thus no election could be held. Therefore, it is essential to hold an election for the Association Presidency. The Board of Directors has felt the necessity to make this application since they did not convene the General Assembly despite this provision in the constitution."
Remzi Sanver ELECTION DATE HAS ALSO BEEN DETERMINED Upon the submitted petition, a trustee was appointed to the Association of Freemasons, which has been unable to hold a general assembly for a long time due to its president being in prison for approximately 6 months, based on Article 28 of the Istanbul Peace Court. The hearing related to the complaint will be held on October 20, 2026.
Sanver was detained as part of the Can Holding investigation and was arrested on October 17, 2025, on charges of 'membership in a criminal organization for profit' and 'money laundering of assets obtained from crime.'