17.05.2026 17:20
Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, detained in an illegal gambling and money laundering investigation, stated that among 198 suspects shown in photos, he only recognized Batuhan Ö. Providing testimony regarding the 46.5 million TL money movement detected in his accounts, Kütahyalı argued that the transfers resulted from commercial loans and transactions with close associates. The prosecutor's file noted that the money flow was not considered "ordinary individual activity."
In an operation against illegal gambling, qualified fraud, bribery, and money laundering conducted in 21 provinces centered in Adana, 161 suspects were detained. Among the suspects, 154 individuals, including journalist Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı and Selahattin Akın Uzun, who is alleged to be the leader of a criminal organization, were referred to the courthouse.
STRIKING MONEY FLOW IN THE PROSECUTOR'S FILE
In the investigation file, it was stated that Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı was not merely a passive account receiving money. The file noted that approximately 37.7 million lira was transferred from Kütahyalı's account to accounts "considered to be used for layering purposes."
It was also indicated that from accounts within the same structure, approximately 15.7 million lira entered Kütahyalı's account. Additionally, it was stated that a total of 35 million 201 thousand 344 lira was detected as incoming funds from 6 different electronic money institutions to Kütahyalı's accounts between 2022 and 2024.
The prosecutor's office stated that when the aforementioned money movement is evaluated together with the organization's general working system, it is not considered "normal individual money traffic."
HIS 244-PAGE STATEMENT REVEALED
It was learned that within the scope of the investigation, Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı's 244-page statement has emerged.
During the statement, Kütahyalı was shown photographs of 198 suspects in the file. It was stated that Kütahyalı said he only recognized 1 person.
It was learned that Kütahyalı used the following words in his statement:
“I know the person named Batuhan Ö. because he is my friend's son; I do not know the other individuals, I have never seen any of them in my life.”
QUESTIONED ABOUT THE 46.5 MILLION TL MONEY MOVEMENT
Kütahyalı was also asked about the source of the 46 million 537 thousand 383 lira money movement detected in his accounts.
In his statement, Kütahyalı made the following explanation:
“I know the person named Batuhan Ö. because he is my friend's son. Batuhan's father, Aydın Ö., is a reputable merchant known in the lighting industry, a MÜSİAD member, and a close friend of mine. In the 2022-2024 economy, obtaining commercial loans using CGF (currency-protected deposit) or gold as collateral was a very logical business. Since my friend Aydın Ö. had a company, he said to me, 'You put in half the collateral, and let's profit from this together.' Because I trusted him greatly, I sent my money with peace of mind.
Since Aydın previously had a company go bankrupt, he could not use his own accounts, so money came through his son Batuhan Ö.'s accounts. I was also sending money to Batuhan. This is the sole reason for the money transfer I conducted with Batuhan.
Ş.K. is my mother; I have had money transfer transactions due to our familial relationship.
P.A. is my wife; I have had money transfer transactions due to our familial relationship.
I sold my house in Maltepe to U.Z. at that time, and A.Ö. also knew U.Z. When I was outside Istanbul, I sent money to U.Z. to deliver cash to A.Ö.
Ç.Ö. is A.Ö.'s wife, so there were money transfer transactions. S.Ö. is my sister's daughter, my niece. At that time, since new bank accounts at Alternatif Bank offered very high interest, I opened an account in her name and sent these amounts; they belong to me.”
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
While the procedures for the suspects detained in the operation are ongoing at the police station and courthouse, it was learned that the investigation continues in multiple directions.