18.11.2025 08:30
In the trial against the criminal organization Sarallar, the lawyer of Hakkı Saral, who is said to be the leader of the organization, stated, "In my conversation with my client, he says, 'Being imprisoned for a crime I didn't commit is affecting my mental health.'" Hakkı Saral and four detainees were released.
In the trial of 35 defendants who were detained and charged in the operation named 'Mahzen-32' against the 'Sarallar' criminal organization based in Bursa and involving 7 provinces, the lawyer of Hakkı Saral, who is said to be the leader of the organization, stated, "In my meeting with my client, he says, 'Being imprisoned for a crime I didn't commit is affecting my psychology.'
The teams of the Bursa Provincial Police Department's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch initiated an operation against the criminal organization known as 'Sarallar' last year.
In the investigation coordinated by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was determined that the suspects collected large amounts of money from victims through armed threats while engaging in the buying and selling of vehicles on credit, misrepresented themselves as parties in debt collection matters, and demanded shares. They also carried out armed attacks on businesses and individuals who refused to pay through 'hitmen' they brought from outside Bursa, threatened individuals with death using firearms, forcibly seized their businesses and vehicles, and transferred these assets to the organization members.
35 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
On April 26, 2024, a simultaneous operation was conducted at a total of 44 addresses in Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon, Yalova, Izmir, and Diyarbakır, centered in Bursa. In the operation, which also involved a conflict, 27 people, including the organization leader Hakkı Saral, were detained. During the operation, 16 handguns, 53 checks and promissory notes with a total value of 56 million 434 thousand lira, 1272 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 430 thousand 400 lira, 123 thousand 800 dollars, 20 thousand 800 euros, and 2 luxury vehicles were seized. In the continuation of the investigation, 8 more people, including Derya T. (41), who is known as 'Hanım Ağa' in the district and is alleged to have called the 'Sarallar' to İnegöl and worked with them, were also detained. It was stated that Derya T. called the criminal organization to İnegöl because she could not collect her receivables from the market and later worked with these individuals. After their procedures at the police station, the 35 suspects were referred to the courthouse and arrested.
24 PEOPLE RELEASED
A case was filed against the suspects at the Bursa 4th High Criminal Court. 24 of the defendants were released to be tried without detention in previous hearings. The trial of the defendants continued today. Some of the defendants who were not in detention and the lawyers of the parties attended the hearing, while some of the defendants connected to the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).
"BEING IMPRISONED FOR A CRIME I DIDN'T COMMIT AFFECTS MY PSYCHOLOGY"
The lawyer of the organization leader Hakkı Saral, who made a defense in the hearing, stated that his client is innocent and said: "My client has been in detention for about 2 years. My client, who is of a certain age, is in solitary confinement. In my meeting with my client, he says, 'If I had committed this crime, I wouldn't be in this psychological state; being imprisoned for a crime I didn't commit is affecting my psychology.' He is being tried solely because of his last name, Saral. The indictment states that he is the leader of a criminal organization, that he gave orders, that he received instructions from his brother Ümit Saral, who is in prison, and that he held an organization meeting in İnegöl.
Okay A. is taking vehicles from T.B. through enforcement for a receivable of 10 million lira. My client is also taking from Okay A. My client has not seen or does not know the complainant. How can he threaten and commit robbery against someone he does not know? My client's phone has been tapped, and there is not a single tape. His phone has been taken, and there is not a single recorded document. His house has been searched, and there is not a single weapon. My client is being held solely because of his last name, Saral. He has been in detention for 20 months. This has turned into a sentence. Considering his health condition and the fact that his two children are engaged, we request the lifting of his detention.
"WE WANT HIM TO BE RELEASED FROM THIS CASE"
Ümit Saral's lawyer also requested his client's release, stating, "For the last 5 years, my client has been under camera surveillance during family visits and lawyer meetings. Considering this situation, there is no possibility of giving orders. We want my client to be released from this case," he said. Hakkı Saral, who participated in the hearing via SEGBİS, also stated, "I am completely a victim. I bought a vehicle, and I took it as a deposit. If I hadn't come to Bursa to buy this vehicle, would I be here? I am a victim, and I want my release."
"ALL MEETINGS ARE RECORDED"
After Hakkı Saral, his brother Ümit Saral, who also defended via SEGBİS, stated, "I have been held in solitary confinement for 5 years. All my meetings are recorded. There is no record regarding my orders." In the hearing, where the statements of other defendants and their lawyers were also taken, Hakkı Saral, Derya T., Tolga T., Onur Y., Fehmi A., and Ali R. were released, while the trial of the 35 defendants, 5 of whom are still detained, will continue in February.