Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office completed the procedures regarding 49 suspects in the Friends investigation

The procedures at the police station for the suspects who were detained within the scope of the "Friends' criminal organization" investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office have been completed.

49 suspects caught in the fifth wave of the investigation were referred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan after their health checks.

Of the suspects whose statements were taken at the prosecutor's office, 20 were referred to the criminal judgeship of peace with a request for their arrest, 8 for house arrest, and 21 for the imposition of judicial control measures such as a signature and a ban on traveling abroad.

The suspects' proceedings at the court are expected to continue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVESTIGATION

The investigation was initiated regarding the use of donations collected through the Buddy Association following the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023.

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that various findings were reached as a result of examining the inspector and special audit reports of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the association's financial records, inventory information, bank movements and suspect statements.

In the statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that many aid materials collected for earthquake victims in Izmit, such as tents, wheelchairs, electric bicycles and stationery products, had become unusable in warehouses.

DONATIONS OF 4.3 BILLION LIRAS ARE UNDER EXAMINATION

Within the scope of the investigation, it was reported that 4.3 billion liras of donations were collected for the association between February 6 and December 31, 2023, in order to reach earthquake victims, and 4.2 billion liras of this was spent.

It was stated that approximately 950 million liras of the collected donations were withdrawn in cash between February 13 and May 25, 2023, and one of these transactions was 500 million liras at a time.

In the statement, it was stated that over 2 billion lira was used in housing projects, and over 1 billion lira was used in the purchase of goods and services.

EXPERT EXAMINATION FOR PROCUREMENT OF GOODS AND SERVICES

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had announced that housing and school expenses were examined by an expert committee established within TOKİ General Directorate, and goods and service purchases were examined by a separate expert panel.

It was also stated in the investigation that a transportation company was established by some suspects who had an organic membership or accounting relationship with the association and that they allegedly obtained personal benefit from the transportation of earthquake aid.

It was reported that investigations were carried out to show that some of the aid stated to have been delivered to public institutions was less than the amounts shown in the invoices.

AN OPERATION WAS HELD AGAINST 53 SUSPECTS

Following these developments, a fifth wave operation was organized within the scope of the investigation, covering 53 suspects, and 45 people were detained during the operation.

As part of the ongoing work, 4 more suspects were caught, and the procedures for 49 people in custody were completed.