Human Trafficking Investigation: 11 Suspects Sought, Additional Custody Ordered for Defendants

Police officer Yaren Yemenicoğlu, assigned to the Financial Branch, stated that suspects Mercan and Silva had been arrested on charges of "forging documents," "money laundering," and "human trafficking." Ahsan Chaudhary was arrested for "forging documents" and "destroying evidence," while Priyadursha Opatha Vithange was arrested for "illegal residence."

The police detailed that the investigation began on December 5, 2024, following a complaint by the Ministry of Labor regarding a human trafficking story published in Özgür Gazete on December 2, 2024. Between May and November, Silva, at the request of Mercan, allegedly arranged for tourists to enter the country by forging documents through the TezTur Tourism and Travel Agency. The two were said to have facilitated the entry of individuals into the country as tourists in exchange for $1,800 per person. Silva volunteered that he and Mercan had carried out the operation together.

Mercan was caught on December 6 while attempting to leave at the Bostancı Border Crossing. During his time in custody, searches of his workplace uncovered four computers and three mobile phones. Sixteen statements were taken, and the number of suspects sought rose to 11.

The police also revealed that Mercan had deleted 14,964 photos and 800 videos from his phone, but these files were later recovered. The investigation continues, and the police requested an additional seven days of custody for both Mercan and Silva.

In the case of Ahsan Chaudhary, the police confirmed that he had voluntarily confessed to the crimes of "forging documents" and "destroying evidence." Chaudhary, a receptionist at the Royal Place Hotel in Gönyeli, was accused of falsifying records to conceal the arrival of two individuals as tourists. The police stated that Chaudhary admitted his role in the crime, but they found no evidence linking him to human trafficking. He was granted bail after it was revealed that he had a valid work permit in the country.

Lastly, the police reported that Priyadursha Opatha Vithange had been living in the country without a residence permit for four days, from December 1 to December 4. He also faces a three-day extension in detention as the investigation continues.

The prosecutor, Senem Palabıyık, noted that the investigation is ongoing, and the number of people sought has reached 11. Defense lawyer Hüseyin Koralp asked the police if the $1,800 fee collected from the people brought into the country had been found in Mercan's possession, to which the police responded that it had not. Koralp also clarified that his client’s voluntary statement did not include an admission of guilt but rather contained some declarations. Koralp argued that his client had been involved in bringing tourists to the country, including Sri Lankan nationals, as part of his business.

Judge Nuray Necdet, after hearing three separate testimonies, ruled that Mercan and Silva would remain in custody for an additional seven days. Mercan was ordered to undergo a medical examination. Vithange was also ordered to remain in custody for three more days. Chaudhary was banned from leaving the country, required to report twice a week, and ordered to pay a cash bail of 50,000 TL.