Turkish Justice Intervenes in Diyarbekirspor Club Over Money Laundering Suspicions

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered an intervention in the affairs of Diyarbekirspor, a Turkish fourth-tier football club, due to suspicions that it was used for money laundering activities stemming from illegal betting, according to Turkish media reports.

In connection with the case, Turkish economic crimes police detained eight suspects across several provinces, took control of the club and three associated companies, and seized various assets. Investigations are focusing on money laundering operations conducted through the club's accounts and those of its employees.

The club's former president, Fevzi İlhanlı, is alleged to have coordinated the illegal betting operations, and police are currently searching for him. This operation is part of a broader judicial initiative in Turkey targeting football betting, which has led to arrests, license revocations, and sanctions or resignations for referees, players, and match delegates, mostly in the lower divisions.

Diyarbekirspor currently competes in Group 2 of the Turkish fourth-tier football league. Suspicious activities were also uncovered two years ago at Tuzlaspor, another club previously led by İlhanlı, but the Public Prosecutor's Office did not investigate the matter at that time.