FETO Operation in Sports: Arıboğan and Three Names – New Developments
- The Istanbul Chief Public prosecutor's office recently summoned four individuals - Lütfi Arıboğan,Ebru Köksal,İlhan Helvacı,and Ahmet Gülüm - for questioning regarding alleged ties to the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist...
- This latest development revisits the controversial 2011 "Football Match-Fixing Investigation," which notably involved Aziz Yıldırım,then-president of Fenerbahçe Sports Club.
- Prosecutors are specifically examining potential irregular financial transactions involving Lütfi Arıboğan and Ahmet Gülüm, and their connection to Mehmet Baransu, a known member of the FETO/PDY organization.
New Developments in 2011 Match-Fixing Probe: FETO/PDY Links Investigated
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The Istanbul Chief Public prosecutor’s office recently summoned four individuals - Lütfi Arıboğan,Ebru Köksal,İlhan Helvacı,and Ahmet Gülüm – for questioning regarding alleged ties to the Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organization/Parallel State Structure (FETO/PDY) and violations of investigation confidentiality. The summons stems from a renewed investigation into irregularities surrounding prosecutions conducted by former public officials linked to FETO/PDY, especially those targeting figures within the Turkish sports community.
connection to the 2011 Match-Fixing Scandal
This latest development revisits the controversial 2011 “Football Match-Fixing Investigation,” which notably involved Aziz Yıldırım,then-president of Fenerbahçe Sports Club. The original investigation was widely criticized and later questioned due to allegations of manipulation and politically motivated targeting. The current probe focuses on whether individuals facilitated these earlier, allegedly unlawful, prosecutions.
Investigation Focus: Irregular Transactions and Mehmet Baransu
Prosecutors are specifically examining potential irregular financial transactions involving Lütfi Arıboğan and Ahmet Gülüm, and their connection to Mehmet Baransu, a known member of the FETO/PDY organization. Baransu was a journalist who played a prominent role in publicizing the match-fixing allegations.
Release and Judicial Control
Following questioning on December 25, 2025, Ebru Köksal and Ahmet Gülüm were released. Though, judicial control measures were imposed on both Lütfi Arıboğan and İlhan Helvacı, meaning they were also released but are subject to certain restrictions and oversight by the courts. The Istanbul Police Department was directed to assist Köksal and Helvacı in preparing their defense related to the FETO/PDY and confidentiality charges.
This case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of the 2011 match-fixing investigation and the broader implications of FETO/PDY’s alleged influence within Turkish institutions. Further developments are expected as the investigation progresses.