Lawyer of high standing arrested under charges of espionage and support for FETO
In a shocking turn of events, renowned Turkish lawyer Rezan Epözdemir has been arrested and is currently under investigation for three major allegations: bribery, ties to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), and political-military espionage.
The bribery charges against Epözdemir are based on testimony from a witness, A.D., who claims that the lawyer accepted bribes in three separate incidents. One key incident occurred in 2021, where Epözdemir, along with a person named C.C., allegedly received a total of $150,000 in two installments ($75,000 before and $75,000 after) to secure someone's release from detention. WhatsApp messages and phone location data are said to support the witness's claims regarding payment dates and Epözdemir’s involvement.
Two of the bribery incidents involved his own clients, necessitating separate legal investigation files due to Turkish law regarding lawyers' cases.
Epözdemir is also accused of aiding the FETO/PDY, an armed terrorist organization according to Turkish authorities. The details of the terrorism-related accusations are not entirely clear, but investigations reference old photographs and recorded conversations. The FETO designation relates to the Gülen movement, which Turkey accuses of orchestrating the 2016 failed coup; the movement denies these claims and they are not recognized internationally.
The espionage probe focuses on a photograph from late 2024 showing Epözdemir at a dinner with individuals allegedly linked to foreign intelligence services. Phone location data confirms his presence at that specific location on June 21, 2024. Charges refer broadly to "political and military espionage," though specific details on the nature or outcomes of these activities are not fully disclosed publicly.
Epözdemir was detained at his home and law office in Istanbul during coordinated raids. He has exercised his right to remain silent at the prosecutor's office and been referred to court for prosecution. His passport has been restricted under four different charges as part of the investigation.
Before this arrest, Epözdemir was best known for handling high-profile murder and fraud cases. He represented the family of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, who was stabbed to death in Kadikoy in January, and several other notable cases that drew significant public attention.
The investigations against Epözdemir are ongoing, with some confidentiality orders in place. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced these investigations.
The ongoing investigations against Epözdemir, previously known for high-profile cases in general news, include bribery charges based on alleged payments for political-military espionage and ties to a terrorist organization. Evidence such as WhatsApp messages and phone location data is said to support these claims, while the details of the terrorism-related accusations remain unclear. The espionage probe centers on a dinner with individuals linked to foreign intelligence services, with Epözdemir's passport being restricted under four charges related to these investigations. These investigations, conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, also cover crime-and-justice contexts, specifically the bribery incidents involving his own clients.
