Several well-known Turkish celebrities and public figures were arrested on 18 December as part of an anti-drug investigation led by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office, in a case that continues to expand through several open cases and investigations. Among the most well-known names cited are singer Aleyna Tilki, Turkish actress İrem Sak, singer Yusuf Güney, actress and model Melisa Döngel and well-known influencer Danla Biliç.
The anti-drug investigation, led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office through the Smuggling, Narcotics and Economic Crimes Investigation Unit, focuses on alleged crimes of purchase, possession or consumption of narcotic and psychotropic substances. The arrest warrants were issued on charges of “acquiring, accepting or possessing narcotic or stimulant substances for personal use” or “consuming narcotic or stimulant substances”.
According to Turkish media reports, the persons for whom the prosecutor’s office requested arrest warrants were:
- film and TV actress İrem Sak
- influencer Neslihan Damla Aktepe (better known as Danla Biliç)
- actor Mümin Senna Yıldız
- singer and songwriter Aleyna Tilki
- actress and model Melisa Döngel
- singer and composer Yusuf Güney
- journalist and producer Cihan Şensözlü
- influencer Şeyma Subaşı
- model Şevval Şahin Şevval (Miss Turkey World 2018)
- influencer and presenter Mert Vidinli
Teams from the Istanbul Gendarmerie Provincial Command carried out simultaneous operations at seven addresses in the Istanbul districts of Sarıyer, Eyüpsultan, Şişli, Üsküdar, Bakırköy and Esenyurt. During the raids, İrem Sak, Danla Biliç, Mümin Senna Yıldız and Aleyna Tilki were arrested, while the search for the others involved continues since they were not found at their homes. According to the Turkish press, Şeyma Subaşı, Şevval Şahin and Mert Vidinli are reportedly outside the country.
The operation against these well-known personalities followed the testimony of content creator Sercan Yaşar, who was released from prison on 17 December after cooperating with the justice system under the so-called ‘active repentance’, which allows for sentence reductions in exchange for testifying and cooperating in a case. In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said there was “reasonable suspicion” that the suspects were involved in the use of narcotics and stimulants, and confirmed that searches were carried out at the homes of seven of them.
In the early hours of 19 December, further arrests were made as part of the same investigation, including the arrest of Turkish actress Ezgi Eyüboğlu, also charged with purchase, possession and use of narcotic substances.
This anti-drug investigation follows a similar operation last October in Turkey, which sparked a major social uproar and in which famous singers, Turkish series actors and influencers were arrested, including Demet Evgar, Mert Yazıcıoğlu, Zeynep Meriç Aral, Ceren Moray, Özge Özpirinçci, singers Hadise and İrem Derici, and influencer Duygu Özaslan Mutaf. Many of those arrested at the time, however, were eventually released without charge.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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