20.02.2025 15:11
Kerimcan Durmaz, who was arrested on January 8 on the charge of promoting illegal betting through advertisements, was released at his first court hearing.
'Encouragement of illegal gambling' investigation led to the release decision for social media phenomenon Kerimcan Durmaz, who was arrested on January 8.
HE WAS DETAINED ON JANUARY 7
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had initiated an investigation against social media phenomenon Kerimcan Durmaz on the grounds that he engaged in actions such as placing advertisements within the videos and visuals he published, and that he conducted activities that heavily encouraged and promoted illegal gambling. Durmaz was detained on January 7 as part of the investigation and was subsequently brought to court the next day, where he was arrested by the Istanbul Peace Criminal Court.
AN INDICTMENT HAD BEEN PREPARED
The investigation related to the incident was completed, and an indictment was prepared. In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Sports Toto Organization was included as the 'victim of the crime,' while Kerimcan Durmaz was included as the 'suspect.' It was stated that he normalized and trivialized illegal gambling and betting in the eyes of society. The indictment noted that Durmaz encouraged betting or playing games of chance by participating in advertisements for illegal gambling sites filmed with his knowledge, and that his actions posed a danger, as he had a large following on social media and appealed to a wide audience, thereby harming society.
"WHAT ABOUT CASINOS?"
The indictment also stated that although the suspect Durmaz claimed he did not accept the charges against him, it was contrary to the ordinary course of life that he turned his back while the advertisements for illegal gambling sites were being displayed on the LED screen, and that he made statements such as 'what about casinos?' at that time.
REQUEST FOR UP TO 5 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS IN PRISON
In the prepared indictment, it was requested that the suspect Kerimcan Durmaz be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 3 months to 5 years and 3 months for the crime of 'encouraging individuals to place advertisements and otherwise to play fixed-odds or joint betting or games of chance based on sports competitions' in a repeated manner.