Kara Haydar investigation expands: wedding gold seized in Van, wife detained in Istanbul

An investigation into money laundering from proceeds of crime, led by Van's Chief Public Prosecutor against Mehmet Fatih Tançalan—known on social media as "Van's Kara Haydar"—continues to widen its scope. Tançalan's wife, Çağla Öz Tançalan, was apprehended and detained in Istanbul.

Teams from Van Provincial Police Directorate's Public Order Branch previously conducted a search of a house and its adjoining structures in Muradiye district; jewelry and cash that were placed on Tançalan's wife during their wedding were seized. The homeowner, S.A., was also detained.

Çağla Öz Tançalan, detained by Istanbul Police Directorate's Financial Crimes Division, is expected to be brought to Van. Tançalan's mother, N.O.—named in a MASAK report—had previously been detained in Istanbul, while a relative of Tançalan's, M.S.T., was detained in Muradiye.

The investigation was initiated by Van's Chief Public Prosecutor after images of substantial amounts of gold, foreign currency, and Turkish lira displayed at the couple's wedding in Van generated public attention. Tançalan was detained on September 8; the on-call judge to whom he was referred ruled for his remand in custody on charges of money laundering.