Organised crime case from Turkey: Romanian officials targeted, Dristor businesses implicated
New testimonies from the Ankara Prosecutor's Office case show that Romanian public officials may have received money in Istanbul clubs. Dristor businesses and money laundering through Bucharest are at the centre of the investigation.
Romanian officials implicated in organised crime case coordinated by Ankara
New testimonies in the case led by the Ankara Prosecutor's Office bring direct ramifications to Romania, according to goldring.ro. Witnesses claim that certain Romanian public officials were invited to nightclubs in Istanbul, where they received sums of money in exchange for allowing certain activities to remain outside the attention of the authorities.
Ahmet Ugur Pakcan, the businessman behind the Dristor Doner Kebap chain, is being held in preventive custody in Turkey. Turkish authorities are investigating him for leading a criminal organisation, fraud and money laundering. Pakcan is identified as the key figure responsible for managing the group's interests in Romania and the Balkans, under the coordination of leader Alihan Kuriș.
Financial network in Bucharest
Financial flows from Romania were allegedly managed by four people identified in the investigation: Ismail K., Selcuk S., M. Geicun and E. Guleryuz. According to witness statements, kebab restaurants and certain currency exchange offices in Bucharest functioned as instruments for money laundering operations.
A mechanism for transporting money through students was detailed by witness G.K. He claims that young people housed in a student dormitory in Bucharest—for which Pakcan allegedly had official responsibility—were used as couriers. They transported sealed suitcases containing dollars, euros and sterling pounds on the route to Turkey, with instructions not to open the luggage until reaching their destination.
Encrypted "Glooper" platform and arrest warrants
The investigation also revealed the use of an encrypted digital platform called "Glooper", developed in India specifically for the organisation's internal communication. The system allowed access to a restricted circle of approximately 3,300 people and used three-stage authentication, including biometric verification, for strict control of the network.
Turkish authorities reportedly hold arrest warrants for other suspects on Romanian territory. Their identity has not, however, been officially confirmed by Romanian institutions, given that the investigation continues to expand.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)