Tried for “money laundering” and “establishing an organization to commit crimes,” the Polat couple, accused of causing the state a tax loss of 295 million lira, have returned to social media. Dilan Polat, sharing from the courthouse, started using expressions like “I wish we could go home even if it ends.” Trying to create an impression as if they were acquitted despite being tried for serious crimes, Dilan Polat could face up to 5 years in prison according to a new investigation against them. The Polat couple, indirectly admitting the tax crime they committed through actions such as issuing fake invoices, could be tried with a demand for imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years. The expert report obtained during the investigation stated that the 7 companies examined caused a loss of 295 million lira to the public. It had been revealed with official reports that the Polat couple managed a major money traffic through corporations they set up for their 85-90-year-old family elders at the time of their arrest.

The trial of 28 defendants, including Dilan and her husband Engin Polat, for “establishing and managing an organization to commit crimes,” “money laundering of assets derived from crime,” and “violation of the Law on Regulation of Betting and Gambling on Football and Other Sports Matches” is ongoing at the Istanbul Anatolian 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.

On November 4, 2023, 12 suspects, including Dilan and Engin Polat, were arrested. Dilan Polat was released on August 19 after a decision to be tried without detention.

After her release, Dilan Polat stated that she would be mindful of her social media posts and adopt a normal lifestyle. She then started sharing photos of expensive watches, branded clothing in her wardrobe, and pricey sunglasses.

“WE PRAYED REGULARLY”

Polat, who seems to have a certain level of social media savvy, claimed they prayed regularly in prison by sharing visuals of her “bruised knees.” Despite being released, the Polat couple, acting as if they were acquitted, recently went to court for a new investigation.

Another investigation is being conducted separately against Dilan and Engin Polat and 6 other defendants for the crime of “violating tax legislation.”

295 MILLION LIRA TAX OFFENSE

Within the scope of this investigation, Dilan and Engin Polat went to the Anatolian Palace of Justice to give their statements. While Dilan Polat claimed she had no knowledge regarding the “violation of tax regulations” during her statement, Engin Polat stated, “We carried out genuine trade” regarding the actions in their companies.

The expert report obtained during the investigation determined that the 7 companies examined caused a loss of 295 million lira to the public.

COULD RECEIVE A 5-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE

Polat could receive up to 5 years in prison for this crime. According to Article 358 of the Tax Procedure Law, “Falsifying, altering records that are mandatory to keep or present according to tax laws, which causes a decrease in the tax base, is considered a crime. Such actions are punished with imprisonment ranging from eighteen months to five years.” The Polat couple could face a severe prison sentence if judged under this provision, as a sentence of up to 5 years was requested before the latest amendment.

When the Polat couple was audited for tax, serious operations were observed. The findings reflected in the indictment showed that a significant money traffic was managed to avoid paying taxes.

The indictment mentioned in the report prepared by the Istanbul Sectoral 3 Audit Department of the Tax Audit Presidency stated that the fake invoice amount of the companies was 489 million 309 thousand 777 lira, of which 86 million 988 thousand 913 lira corresponded to Value Added Tax (VAT). It was also explained that the companies issued fake invoices among themselves, with a total value of 117 million 443 thousand 863 liras, out of which 21 million 28 thousand 562 liras corresponded to VAT. The indictment highlighted that due to the keeping of other records instead of legally required books, reducing the tax base, the total amount reached 214 million 786 thousand 65 lira, out of which 35 million 607 thousand 842 liras corresponded to VAT. Additionally, the indictment pointed out that the companies made payments totaling 46 million 103 thousand 895 lira to companies established solely for the purpose of issuing fake invoices, organized predominantly by Ahmet Gün to obtain counterfeit documents.