Striking words from Mehmet Ali Erbil: These men would have killed us.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against 23 individuals, including social media influencers and famous personalities, on the grounds of encouraging illegal gambling. In this context, suspects including singer Serdar Ortaç and presenter Mehmet Ali Erbil were taken into custody.

HOUSE ARREST DECISION FOR SERDAR ORTAÇ AND MEHMET ALİ ERBİL

Among the 16 suspects taken into custody, including Mehmet Ali Erbil and Serdar Ortaç, were brought to the Istanbul Courthouse located in Çağlayan. The prosecutor conducting the investigation referred Serdar Ortaç and Mehmet Ali Erbil, who completed their statements, to the court with a request for their arrest. A house arrest decision was issued by the Peace Criminal Court for both individuals.

MEHMET ALİ ERBİL: THESE MEN WOULD HAVE KILLED ME

Mehmet Ali Erbil, who was released under house arrest, made statements to the press. Erbil stated that they were called to Malta to help patients. He said, "In Malta, they tried to push us into such an event, and I said on that live broadcast, 'I did not play virtual gambling and I do not approve of it.' If I had gone there for advertising, these men would have killed me for saying this sentence."

In his statement, Erbil used the following expressions:

"I have repeatedly said on my social media accounts that 'it should not be taken seriously' regarding illegal gambling. In Malta, they tried to push us into such an event, and I said on that live broadcast, 'I did not play virtual gambling and I do not approve of it.' If I had gone there for advertising, these men would have killed me for saying this sentence."

"I AM VERY REGRETFUL"

I am very regretful for being involved in such an event. Although I am not a part of virtual gambling, they tried to portray me as if I were within this platform. We had made the necessary warning on July 4. We had announced to the public how dangerous illegal gambling is. We had declared that we would not be a part of it. They made advertisements without my knowledge using my voice.

"WE WENT FOR THE OPENING, WE FOUND OURSELVES IN SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT"

We went to Malta with Serdar Ortaç for an opening. We found ourselves in such an environment, live on air. They told us that we would help patients. We tried to help cancer and MS patients, but they took the job in another direction. Because this job went in another direction, I expressed myself. I have never played illegal gambling in my life. They also told us to wear their t-shirts, but we did not accept. The presenters next to us were wearing them, but we never accepted such a thing.

4 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED

Among the suspects brought before the Duty Peace Criminal Court, Sefa Caner Sarıcam, Esma Sözen, and Muzaffer Zorbey Erkoçlar were issued arrest warrants, while the suspect E.N., who is under 18 years old, was released under judicial control.