World · Europe · 11 hrs ago
Prosecutors seek up to five years in prison for former TFF official
Istanbul prosecutors have asked for up to five years in prison for Lütfi Arıboğan, a former deputy head of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
They accuse him of knowingly helping an armed group during the 2011 football match-fixing investigation, though the indictment says investigators found no concrete evidence of a direct link between Arıboğan and the group.
Prosecutors say Arıboğan sent journalist Mehmet Baransu an email attachment containing a police letter and a list of names in December 2011.
They also cite 101 recorded contacts between the two from July 2011 to December 2012.
The indictment alleges that information Baransu published helped shape opinion against Fenerbahçe and was used in football investigations; it says the club was barred from the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League, losing expected income.
Fenerbahçe is listed as a party harmed by the alleged offence, while three other people investigated in the case were cleared.
The indictment has been sent to an Istanbul court, and the sources say Arıboğan's trial is expected to begin soon, although they differ on whether the court has accepted the case.
Prosecutors in Istanbul have sought a prison sentence of up to five years for former Turkish Football Federation vice-president Lütfi Arıboğan.
The indictment accuses him of knowingly helping an armed terrorist organisation without being a member.
It alleges that he shared information about the 2011 football match-fixing investigation with journalist Mehmet Baransu.
The indictment says this helped create public opinion against Fenerbahçe and that the club was barred from the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League.
Arıboğan’s case was sent to Istanbul’s 25th High Criminal Court, while three other people in the investigation received decisions of non-prosecution.
- Who
- Former Turkish Football Federation vice-president Lütfi Arıboğan.
- What
- Prosecutors seek a prison sentence of up to five years on a charge of knowingly helping an armed terrorist organisation without being a member.
- When
- The indictment was reported on October 22, 2026. The alleged email to Mehmet Baransu was sent on December 7, 2011.
- Where
- Istanbul, Turkey.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege that Arıboğan shared information about the football match-fixing investigation with Baransu, helping create public opinion against Fenerbahçe.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Investigators recorded 101 communications between Arıboğan and Mehmet Baransu.
Arıboğan sent Baransu an email with an attached file, according to the indictment.
Reports said prosecutors had completed the investigation and sent the indictment to Istanbul’s 25th High Criminal Court.
- Requested sentence
- 2 years and 6 months to 5 years, according to Milliyet; other reports say 2 to 5 years
- Court
- Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court
- Recorded communications
- 101 between Arıboğan and Baransu from July 13, 2011, to December 6, 2012
- Sent to Baransu on December 7, 2011, with an attached file
- Other people
- Ahmet Gülüm, İlhan Helvacı and Ebru Köksal received decisions of non-prosecution
3 sources
What people are saying
The suspect was found to have committed the crime of helping the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organisation without being a member.
Fenerbahçe Sports Club was prevented from taking part in the UEFA Champions League, deprived of the financial income it would have earned, and caused very great harm.