Nihal Candan gave her statement in tears during the trial: My assets consist of 1-2 bags and shoes.

The trial of the 21 defendants, including Alisya Bahar Candan, who is accused of fraud and membership in a criminal organization, and Gülnihal Çiçek, also known as Nihal Candan, who is facing up to 24 years in prison, continued. In the third hearing, Nihal Candan, who is free on bail, denied the charges.

"I DID NOT ATTEND THE MEETINGS, I CANNOT STAY IN A MEAT RESTAURANT FOR LONG BECAUSE I AM VEGAN"

Gülnihal Çiçek, the defendant known as Nihal Candan, said in her defense, "I am ready to give my statement, as long as I don't faint from excitement, there is no problem." Then Candan stated in her defense, "I don't see any accusation here. I have read the indictment multiple times. I have had my lawyers read it multiple times. I don't see a clear accusation against me in the indictment. I did not attend a meeting. I was involved with the wrong person in 2021, who introduced himself as Kaan with a different name and did not tell me his real profession. Onur Apaydın, who is mentioned as the leader of the organization in the indictment, told me that he is a businessman, actively earning money, and that he liked me very much. At that time, I was experiencing anxiety problems, so I made a wrong decision regarding my personal life. I graduated from law school. However, I cannot practice my profession because of this incident. This is not a long-lasting love story. I broke up with Onur Apaydın by obtaining a restraining order. I am vegan. It is said that the mentioned meetings took place in a meat restaurant. I cannot stay there for a long time because I feel nauseous when meat is consumed. The place where the meetings are said to have taken place is a meat restaurant. I have no knowledge about the car sales incidents. I am currently married to a person named Faruk Çiçek, but he has filed for divorce. Thank you, Turkey. I have no knowledge about the car delivery and fraud incidents. I have been through a very difficult process for 5 months. If I speak loudly and scare you, I apologize, Your Honor," she said.

SHE NARRATED WITH TEARS: NO ONE SENT MONEY TO MY ACCOUNT, THEY CAN CHECK

In her continued defense, Nihal Candan burst into tears and said, "I am struggling with a deadly disease. I cannot eat. I have reached this state from 28 kilograms, thank God. My wealth may consist of a few bags and a few shoes. My husband used to provide them for me. Our family is in a very difficult financial situation because of these incidents," she said.

Candan continued her defense while crying, "I was arrested in the house where I was staying with my husband. They forced my husband to the ground. It is stated in the indictment that money was transferred to my account by some individuals. They should check my accounts. Is there any money transfer? These are not things that will not come to light. What punishment did I suffer for 5 months? If using Instagram is a crime, then I won't use it. I don't know these defendants. They have been watching us on social media and harboring resentment. If I have to endure the negative energy of such strange people, I don't want to share anymore. When I was reading the indictment, I asked my lawyer what TMSF was. I didn't even know what it was. I avoided criminal cases while studying law. These are very negative topics. I have provided all the documents related to the period when I had a beauty salon to my lawyers. The fraud incident has nothing to do with my beauty salon. It already went bankrupt. As far as I know, Onur Apaydın was a partner in nightclubs at that time. I obtained a restraining order against Onur Apaydın. I obtained this order before the investigation process. I didn't think they would carry out an operation, arrest me and my brother forcibly. They took me around the city for 2 days and made me pose for photos," she said.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

The indictment prepared by the Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office included 38 victims, 1 victim suspect, and 21 defendants, including Bahar and Nihal Candan. It was also stated in the indictment that Gülnihal Çiçek, who was in custody, was released under judicial control taking into account the time spent in custody. The indictment stated that the gang led by Onur Apaydın and İlker Oflu defrauded people by claiming to sell cars cheaply 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.

In the continuation of the indictment, it was stated, "The suspects have participated in various television programs for a long time in the past, and after becoming famous, they have also appeared in gossip programs. Due to reaching a large number of followers on social media platforms, they are referred to as social media influencers and TV personalities, and they played an active role in deceiving the victims in special meetings organized by the criminal organization due to their recognition by a wide range of society." The indictment also stated that Onur Apaydın, the leader of the organization, conducted banking activities through Alisya Bahar Candan, who was in the position of "secret accountant and cash register" within the organization, and laundered the proceeds of the crime.

"MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH THE TOP LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION"

Meanwhile, suspect Hacı İsrafil Sağlam, who was responsible for providing victims, stated in his testimony mentioned in the indictment that he attended organization meetings and said, "Everyone from the top level attended the meetings. Field staff and lower-level personnel were never allowed to attend. Everyone in the top management of the organization participated. I saw Nihal Candan at two meetings. Nihal Candan was the girlfriend of the organization leader Onur Apaydın. The other individuals showed respect to Nihal Candan and kept their distance. Topics related to car buying and selling were discussed in relation to the internal workings of the organization in the presence of Nihal Candan," the indictment stated.

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 2 to 4 years for "membership in a criminal organization" and 2 times 12 to 40 years in total, up to 44 years in prison for "committing fraud by introducing oneself as a public official or an employee of a bank, insurance, or credit institution or claiming to be associated with these institutions," and that Nihal Candan be sentenced to 8 to 24 years in prison for the same crimes.

On the other hand, varying prison sentences were requested for the other 20 suspects.