19.12.2025 18:06
The defendants of the Maydonoz Döner businesses, which are being tried on the charge of providing financing to FETÖ, appeared before the judge. The court decided to release the detained defendants under judicial control. At this stage of the case, there are no remaining detained defendants, and the hearing has been postponed to March 31, 2026.
Nine defendants are being tried in relation to the Ankara structure of Maydonoz Döner businesses, which were appointed as trustees by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) due to allegations of financing the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
9 DEFENDANTS IN COURT
In the hearing at the Ankara 2nd High Criminal Court, detained defendants Huzur Özer, Emrah Ak, and the non-detained defendants along with their lawyers attended. After the court president read the documents in the file, it was announced that witnesses would be heard.
Witness L.D, who stated that he used to serve as a captain and is currently detained for membership in the organization, mentioned that he opened a Maydonoz Döner branch in Bağlıca in 2021, saying: "I was sentenced to 7.5 years for membership in the organization. At that time, my family was also dealing with health issues. That's why I wanted to transfer the branch. Cevat Dalli had heard that I would transfer it. Initially, I transferred 20% of it. I left some of the money with Tahsin Özbay, who is a jeweler. I know Tahsin because he is a jeweler. For security reasons, I would leave my gold with him. Özbay has no connection to the organization. I couldn't send this money myself; I had Cevat Dalli pay it because my sentence had been announced. I was in hiding in Hatay and hadn't told anyone."
"HE WAS USING THE NAME 'AKIN'"
Witness M.K stated that there is a Maydonoz Döner branch in Konya, that he used to be a teacher, and that he has no connection to the organization, expressing that he has a partnership in the Maydonoz Döner branch in Dikmen, Ankara, and that Huzur Özer works there because he is a relative, adding that Huzur's name is also mentioned as "Akın" in the family and that it is not a code name.
Witness R.E, who stated that he used to be an officer and that an action was taken against him for FETÖ and he was expelled, explained that he worked at the Maydonoz Döner branch in İncek, recognizing the defendant Huzur Özer as "Akın," noting that he knows the name Huzur but does not use it.
Stating that "Akın" is not a code name, R.E said, "I have no organizational ties with the defendants; we only have a business relationship. There was no direction from the organization for Maydonoz Döner. The money distribution mentioned in my phone conversations with Bahadır Tatlıbaş was related to our receivables from Somca Gıda AŞ."
THEY REQUESTED THEIR RELEASE
After the witness statements, detained defendant Emrah Ak asserted his innocence, saying, "I did not hire people who had been processed for FETÖ. I did not receive any instructions from the organization. I request my release."
Detained defendant Huzur Özer also stated that he had no objections to the witness statements, saying, "I have a case regarding a name change; I have been using the name Akın for years. This name is not a code name. I have a heart condition. My detention negatively affects my health. I request my release."
Non-detained defendants also requested the removal of the judicial control conditions against them and sought acquittal from the court.
After the statements, the prosecutor requested that the deficiencies be addressed and that the current status of the defendants be maintained.
NO DETAINEES REMAINED
The court, which issued an interim decision, ruled for the release of detained defendants Huzur Özer and Emrah Ak under judicial control, considering the evidence in the file. It decided to maintain the current status of the non-detained defendants. At this stage, there are no detained defendants left in the case, and the hearing was postponed to March 31, 2026.
WHAT ARE THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE INDICTMENT?
The indictment prepared by the Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau stated that FETÖ is trying to revitalize its current organizational activities within the country, continuing its long-standing strategy of secrecy, and has started new organizational activities in this context.
The indictment noted that FETÖ is seeking new methods for financing its members, stating that the business named Maydonoz Döner, which is affiliated with Somca Gıda AŞ, provides financing to the organization through its branches across Turkey and offers job opportunities to organization members, thus providing financial support.
The indictment mentioned that a large amount of "himmet" was collected to employ organization members in the branches of the firm in Ankara, stating that the official owner or partner of these branches has no criminal record for membership in the organization, but that the relatives of these individuals have criminal records for membership in the organization and that they unofficially partnered in the branches.
The indictment stated that the defendants provided funding to the organization in line with the organization's goals, and it was requested that the 9 individuals be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison for "membership in an armed terrorist organization" and "violating the Law on the Prevention of the Financing of Terrorism."