Nihal and Bahar Candan siblings are appearing before the judge for a fraud case.

An investigation has been launched into the crimes of fraud and membership in a criminal organization, and the trial of Alisya Bahar Candan, who faces a sentence of 14 to 44 years, and Gülnihal Çiçek, also known as Nihal Candan, who faces a sentence of 8 to 24 years, will begin today.

Nihal Candan arrived at the courthouse before the trial, which will take place at the Küçükçekmece 5th Heavy Penal Court. It was observed that Nihal Candan did not answer the questions asked.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

The indictment prepared by the Küçükçekmece Public Prosecutor's Office included 38 victims, 1 victim suspect, and 21 suspects, including Nihal and Bahar Candan. The indictment also stated that the detained suspect Gülnihal Çiçek was released under judicial control, taking into account the time spent in pretrial detention. The indictment stated that the gang led by Onur Apaydın and İlker Oflu deceived the victims by claiming to sell vehicles at a low price using the "carp spiral" method. It was also noted in the indictment that Bahar and Nihal Candan were part of the hierarchical and organic structure of the criminal organization.

BAHAR CANDAN IN THE ORGANIZATION AS "THE SAFE"

In the continuation of the indictment, it was stated that "The suspects had participated in various television programs for a long time in the past, and after becoming famous, they also appeared in entertainment programs. Due to reaching a large number of followers on social media platforms, they are currently known as social media influencers and television personalities. Therefore, they played an active role in deceiving the victims at special meetings organized by the criminal organization." It was also revealed in the indictment that the suspects had a close relationship with the organization's leader, Onur Apaydın.

The indictment stated that Onur Apaydın, as the organization's leader, conducted banking activities through the suspect Alisya Bahar Candan, who held the position of "secret accountant and safe" within the organization, and laundered the proceeds of the crime.

"NIHAL CANDAN WAS THE GIRLFRIEND OF THE ORGANIZATION'S LEADER"

Meanwhile, suspect Hacı İsrafil Sağlam, who was responsible for providing victims, stated in his testimony mentioned in the indictment, "Everyone from the upper management participated in the meetings. Field staff and lower-level personnel were never allowed to attend. Everyone in the organization's top management participated. I saw Nihal Candan at two of the meetings. Nihal Candan was the girlfriend of the organization's leader, Onur Apaydın. The other individuals showed respect and kept their distance from Nihal Candan. Discussions about car buying and selling were held regarding the organization's internal operations in the presence of Nihal Candan."

Bahar faces up to 40 years, Nihal faces up to 24 years in prison

In the indictment, it was requested that Bahar Candan be sentenced to a total of 14 to 44 years in prison for the crime of "membership in a criminal organization" for 2 to 4 years and for the crime of "fraud by pretending to be a public official or an employee of a bank, insurance, or credit institution or claiming to be associated with these institutions" for 2 times 12 to 40 years. It was also requested that Nihal Candan be sentenced to up to 24 years in prison for the same crimes. As for the other 20 suspects, varying prison sentences were requested.