02.12.2025 16:10
Sertaç Taşdelen, the owner of the "Faladdin" and "Binnaz" applications in Istanbul, appeared before the judge. In his defense, he stated, "It is absolutely impossible for us to launder money here. My only aim is to produce in this country. I want to contribute to our country by exporting technology. I am also a child of a mother. I request my release." Taşdelen was released under house arrest.
Fortune-telling, astrology, spiritualism, mediumship, and star chart applications 'Faladdin' and 'Binnaz' owner Sertaç Taşdelen has been charged with 'money laundering' for allegedly establishing an information system to obtain criminal proceeds and transferring these revenues abroad. An indictment has been prepared seeking a prison sentence of 3 to 7 years. Taşdelen appeared before the Istanbul Criminal Court. The hearing was attended by the detained defendant Sertaç Taşdelen and his lawyers.
"MY ONLY GOAL IS TO PRODUCE IN THIS COUNTRY"
In his defense, detained defendant Taşdelen stated, "I graduated with honors from Bilkent University. I established a technology and software company in Turkey. We have a team of about 40 engineers. It is absolutely impossible for us to launder money here. I was taken from my home on the morning of July 16 by 10 police officers and 2 cameramen. I am someone who is willing to give my life for this homeland, someone who is determined to produce technology. I am a young brother interested in social responsibilities. My only goal is to produce in this country. To contribute to our country by exporting technology," he said.
"I AM ALSO A CHILD OF A MOTHER"
When asked for his final words, Taşdelen said, "I am also a child of a mother. I have a fiancée waiting for me. I am a child of this homeland. I request my release."
HOUSE ARREST DECISION
The public prosecutor, whose opinion was sought, requested that the defendant's detention continue. The court, announcing its interim decision, ruled for the defendant's release under house arrest with judicial control conditions. The hearing was adjourned for the completion of deficiencies.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that Sertaç Taşdelen established the information systems 'Faladdin', 'Binnaz abla', and their website extensions in 2019 for the purpose of engaging in criminal acts such as fortune-telling, providing information from the unseen, and mediumship. The indictment noted that the revenues obtained by Taşdelen were criminal proceeds, that he presented these criminal proceeds as legitimate income by taxing them as if he were engaged in a legal activity, that he engaged in the act of transferring revenues abroad, and that due to the nature of Taşdelen's actions involving fortune-telling activities, the Advertising Board of the Ministry of Commerce imposed a penalty to halt advertisements for fortune-telling in the Faladdin application on January 9, 2024, and for mediumship on the websites "binnaz.com" and "binnazabla.com." The indictment also included a MASAK report, indicating that Taşdelen has had a social security working record since 2013, that his earnings were low, that he had active partnership information in 3 companies and active management records in 4 companies, that he owned no real estate, but had 5 land and 2 sea vehicles, and that his banking transfer transactions were generally high for each year, but particularly the total transaction volume for 2024-2025 was quite high, while the total cash transactions showed a low profile, with high cash withdrawal totals for 2024. The indictment requested that Sertaç Taşdelen be sentenced to 3 to 7 years in prison for 'money laundering.'