02.06.2026 16:40
Former footballer Ümit Karan, arrested as part of a drug investigation, appeared before a judge for the first time. The court panel decided to release him under judicial control with a travel ban abroad.
Within the scope of the drug investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Counter-Smuggling, Narcotics and Economic Crimes Investigation Bureau, operations were carried out by teams from the Istanbul Police Department Narcotics Crimes Branch Directorate and the Organized Crimes Branch Directorate. As part of the operations, 13 suspects, including former footballer Ümit Karan, were arrested and sent to prison by the court on charges of 'Drug trafficking', 'Facilitating drug use', and 'Encouraging prostitution, facilitating its means, acting as an intermediary for prostitution, or providing premises for it'. In the indictment prepared against Karan, a prison sentence of up to 10 years was sought for the crime of 'Drug trafficking'.
RELEASED
The first hearing of the case against Ümit Karan was held today at the Çağlayan Courthouse. Making his first appearance before the judge in the courtroom, Karan gave his defense. The court panel, after hearing the defenses of the parties, decided to release defendant Karan with judicial control measures, including a ban on traveling abroad.