19.05.2026 12:20
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that behind the illegal gambling operation in which Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı was arrested, there is a serious financial investigation, saying, 'There is a major operation being carried out by our Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The process is progressing entirely based on MASAK reports. He got caught in MASAK's tracking during these money movements. There are allegations of sending money to illegal betting sites and acting as an intermediary.'
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek answered journalists' questions following the Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Complex under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Gürlek made statements regarding illegal betting investigations and the legal processes carried out against fugitive suspects.
"THE PROCESS PROCEEDS IN LINE WITH MASAK REPORTS"
Responding to the question about the arrest of journalist Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı within the scope of the illegal betting investigation, Minister Gürlek stated that there is a serious financial monitoring behind the operation. Recalling that Kütahyalı was arrested for illegal betting, Minister Gürlek said on the matter, "There is a major operation conducted by our Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The process is entirely proceeding based on the reports of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK). He was caught up in MASAK's monitoring during these money movements. There are allegations such as sending money to illegal betting sites and acting as an intermediary. Our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office made this decision in line with its own discretion by examining the financial movements."
Minister Gürlek reminded that according to current laws, the actions of those who operate illegal betting, act as intermediaries, provide venues and facilities, or carry out money transfers to these sites constitute a crime.
ACCESS BLOCKING DECISIONS AND RED NOTICE
Stating that the judicial processes against suspects named in illegal betting organizations who are abroad continue uninterrupted, Minister Gürlek said that sanctions against digital platforms are also applied with determination.
Regarding fugitive names and access blocks, Minister Gürlek said, "Since it concerns public order, access blocking decisions are quickly taken for these sites. Red notices have been issued for all suspects abroad, including former footballers (Batuhan Karadeniz) whose names are mentioned among them."
Minister Gürlek stated that the fight against illegal betting will continue with determination.