19.11.2025 14:54
Social media influencer Özlem Altınok Öz, her husband Tayyar Taylan Öz, and business partner İbrahim Karaorhanlı appeared before the judge in a case filed against them for "hiding the illegitimate source of their assets." The court lifted the seizure and trustee decision regarding Medelina Health and Advertising Services company while ruling for the continuation of judicial control over the defendants. One of the defendants, Tayyar Taylan Öz, stated during the hearing that his monthly income is 100,000 Turkish lira.
Social media phenomenon Özlem Altınok Öz and her husband Tayyar Taylan Öz, along with business partner İbrahim Karaorhanlı, appeared before the judge in a case opened with a request for imprisonment of 3 to 7 years for the crime of 'hiding the illegal source of assets'. The court, which announced its interim decision, ruled to lift the seizure and trustee decision regarding the company Medelina Health and Advertising Services, and decided to continue the judicial control over the defendants.
Following reports that social media phenomenon Özlem Altınok and her husband Tayyar Taylan Öz, along with business partner İbrahim Karaorhanlı, had "created a false brand perception by making attention-grabbing posts and sold low-cost products at high prices," the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation, which was completed and an indictment was prepared. The indictment stated that a report was prepared by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) based on the reports received by the Financial Crimes Unit regarding Özlem Altınok, her husband Tayyar Taylan Öz, and İbrahim Karaorhanlı. The report prepared by MASAK indicated that no fraud or organized crime activities were found in the e-commerce sales made through Medelina Health and Advertising Services Ltd. Co., which the individuals managed, and therefore a decision of non-prosecution was issued for the crimes of 'forgery in official documents', 'membership in an organization', and 'cooperative fraud'. It was determined that tax evasion was carried out through the company, causing a public loss of 10 million lira, with a penalty for this loss amounting to 51 million lira. The indictment also included an assessment that there was sufficient evidence to open a public case against the suspects for money laundering from the income obtained through tax evasion. The hearing held today at the Anadolu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance was attended by defendants Özlem Altınok Öz, her husband Tayyar Taylan Öz, business partner İbrahim Karaorhanlı, and the defendants' lawyer.
"I WAS VERY SAD TO FIND MYSELF IN SUCH AN ACCUSATION" Defendant Özlem Altınok Öz, who made her defense in court, stated, "I am a bit sad to be accused of such a thing. I do not accept the accusations. I am a mother of 4 children, my life revolves around them. I had a miscarriage due to these events. I want my acquittal. It made me very sad to find myself in such an accusation. My father's pension has been seized. I want this to end now. The landlord wants us to leave the house," she said.
REVEALED HIS MONTHLY INCOME Defendant Tayyar Taylan Öz, who is not in custody, stated in his defense, "I reject the accusations. I have an income of 100 thousand lira. We started making posts on social media. Due to these posts, my page began to grow. After my account grew, we decided to enter into trade, and we could not succeed in this. Then we partnered with Mr. İbrahim and achieved great success. A smear campaign started about us on social media. Although all of our trade was done with invoices and taxes, we were accused of money laundering. We faced this process without any evidence of money laundering. We achieved great success, and while we were expecting a medal, a smear campaign began. We made significant sales through e-commerce. We sold these sales with invoices. We paid high amounts of taxes, but unfair slanders were made about us on social media, and a lawsuit was filed. The lawsuit opened has victimized us due to the precautions. I request my acquittal. The money that came into my brother's account is related to family debts. During that period, while we were doing social media advertisements, payments went to that account. I do not accept the MASAK report. The advertisements of Engin Polat and his companies were made by my wife through social media. Therefore, we had a receivable. Due to my family’s financial arrangements, the money we were owed was deposited into my brother Tacettin's account," he expressed.
"I HAVE GONE THROUGH FINANCIALLY DIFFICULT DAYS IN THIS INCIDENT" Defendant and business partner İbrahim Karaorhanlı, who is not in custody, also stated, "I have prepared my written defense regarding the incident. I do not accept the accusations. There were no complaints against me. While Bülent Cihan Timur is shown as the organization leader in the MASAK reports, no measures have been taken against this person, and his name has not been mentioned in the media. Precautions have been taken against the assets of the company, mine, and the relatives of the other defendants. A lawsuit has been filed against us on the grounds that the incident was leaked to the press. The reports obtained indicate that there were no unregistered sales. Tax offenses cannot be considered as predicate offenses. I know that there are no other lawsuits filed regarding this matter. I have gone through financially difficult days in this incident. They consulted me, and Özlem Hanım advertised the products. During the investigation phase, I borrowed money to pay the loss. Although it was said that the precautions would be lifted, a lawsuit was filed, and it was left to the discretion of the court," he said.
The public prosecutor requested the continuation of the existing precautions and the rectification of missing procedures, taking into account the file in which the trial is taking place. The court panel, which announced its interim decision, ruled to lift the seizure and trustee decision regarding the Medelina Health and Advertising Services company belonging to the defendants, and decided to continue the judicial control over the defendants, postponing the hearing to February 26, 2026.