Newsletters
Authorities in Türkiye have issued international “red notices” for MeritKing owner Fedlan Kilicaslan and former professional footballer and social media personality Batuhan Karadeniz as part of a major illegal online betting investigation, while also ordering the seizure of their assets on suspicion of money laundering.
A “red notice” is an international wanted persons alert circulated via national and international policing channels to seek the arrest of a suspect for possible extradition, while “illegal betting” in this context refers to unlicensed online betting and gambling services that operate outside Türkiye’s official regulatory framework.
In a statement, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation is being conducted by the Bureau for Smuggling, Narcotics and Economic Crimes. Prosecutors stated that Batuhan Karadeniz, who is currently abroad and considered a fugitive, used his social media accounts to share content that “encouraged and promoted illegal betting and gambling” and to advertise an illegal betting website.
The statement noted that Karadeniz is being investigated on suspicion of violating Law No. 7258 on Regulating Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions, as well as “laundering assets derived from criminal activity.” On this basis, a red notice was issued so that law enforcement abroad can move to detain him for possible legal proceedings in Türkiye.
Prosecutors also announced that all of Karadeniz’s assets within Türkiye’s jurisdiction have been frozen. The decision covers his movable and immovable properties, his shares in companies and partnerships, and his deposit and investment accounts held with banks and other financial institutions.
The order further extends to assets held on cryptocurrency platforms and exchanges, meaning any digital assets linked to Karadeniz that fall under the reach of Turkish courts are now subject to seizure pending the outcome of the investigation.
The same investigation has also focused on MeritKing, an online betting platform, and its owner Fedlan Kilicaslan, who has also been determined to be abroad and a fugitive.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Kilicaslan is suspected of providing “place and opportunity” for illegal betting and gambling through internet sites, and of promoting illegal betting or games of chance by advertising such platforms.
Officials stated that Kilicaslan is likewise being investigated under Law No. 7258 and on suspicion of “laundering assets derived from criminal activity.” As with Karadeniz, a red notice has been issued for Kilicaslan so that foreign law enforcement authorities can move to locate and detain him under international cooperation procedures.
The prosecutors added that, following a decision by the criminal court of peace, Kilicaslan’s assets have also been placed under seizure.
The freeze includes his movable and immovable properties, shares in companies and partnerships, and all deposit and investment accounts in banks and financial institutions.
In addition, any assets held by Kilicaslan on cryptocurrency markets and exchanges have been brought under the same seizure order, extending the reach of the investigation to digital financial channels as authorities continue to trace funds allegedly linked to illegal betting activity.
2 min read
