Red Notice Issued for the Owner of Ex-Galatasaray Sponsor Meritking.news

Turkish prosecutors have issued a red notice for Fedlan Kılıçaslan, publicly known as the owner of Meritking.news, as part of an expanding illegal betting investigation. Authorities have frozen all of his assets, pushing the case onto the international stage.

A large-scale illegal betting investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken a new turn as Fedlan Kılıçaslan — widely identified as the owner of Meritking.news and the associated MeritKing brand — has been placed under an international red notice. Prosecutors have ordered the seizure of all his assets after failing to locate him, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing inquiry.

Charges Against Meritking.news Owner Fedlan Kılıçaslan

According to the case file, Kılıçaslan faces accusations under Turkey’s Law No. 7258, which regulates illegal betting operations. He is suspected of organizing unlawful online betting networks and laundering the proceeds generated from these activities.

Prosecutors note that Kılıçaslan could not be reached at his registered addresses, prompting authorities to seek international cooperation through a red notice. A national arrest warrant remains active alongside the Interpol request.

Origins of the MeritKing and Meritking.news Model

The operational model behind Meritking.news reflects a trend that emerged in Europe, particularly in Italy, after the country introduced strict bans on all gambling-related advertising in 2018. Under the so-called “Dignity Decree,” betting companies were prohibited from sponsoring sports teams or promoting their brands through media and sporting events.

To bypass these restrictions, many operators launched news portals, blogs, and live-score platforms that appeared independent but were designed to maintain brand visibility. Examples include Bet365 Scores, LeoVegas.News (AC Milan), StarCasinò Blog (Napoli), and Planetwin365.News (Lazio)—sites that positioned themselves as sports-content platforms while continuing indirect partnerships with football clubs.

MeritKing and its extension Meritking.news adopted a similar structure in Turkey, presenting themselves as a “global sports news platform.” However, the Turkish investigation describes these outlets as tools used to reinforce the visibility of the MeritKing betting operation, making the platform a localized version of the Italian-origin model.

The Short-Lived Galatasaray Sponsorship

Meritking.news became widely known in Turkey after signing a sponsorship agreement with Galatasaray, one of the country’s top football clubs. The deal designated the platform as the back-of-shirt sponsor for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, with an annual value of USD 3.155 million plus tax.

The partnership, however, collapsed quickly. Following the Turkish Football Federation’s withdrawal of advertising approval and growing scrutiny linking MeritKing to illegal betting operations, Galatasaray terminated the contract. Later, it emerged that prosecutors had reopened the examination of sponsorship documents as part of the broader investigation.

The episode highlighted how Meritking.news’ brief visibility in Turkish football rapidly turned into part of a criminal inquiry.

Other Figures Named in the Investigation

The investigation extends beyond Kılıçaslan. Former professional footballer and social media personality Batuhan Karadeniz is also subject to a red notice and asset freeze within the same case.

According to prosecutors, several individuals are being examined for their alleged roles in the broader betting network linked to the MeritKing brand, suggesting the inquiry targets a multi-layered structure rather than a single operator.

Past Allegations Surrounding Kılıçaslan

Before the current investigation, Kılıçaslan’s name had appeared in various media reports. According to earlier publications, he previously attended a referee training program in Northern Cyprus, and was allegedly involved in a theft-related incident that led to police custody. These reports form part of his media profile but do not represent confirmed judicial outcomes.

Separately, Turkish news outlets have claimed that Kılıçaslan was previously detained in earlier betting operations but later released, after which he allegedly left the country. While unverified, these accounts indicate a longer trail of controversy leading up to today’s red notice.

Legal Process and Meaning of the Red Notice

The red notice issued for Kılıçaslan represents an international alert distributed through Interpol, requesting that member countries detain him should he be located and initiate extradition procedures to Turkey. It does not constitute a conviction but serves as an urgent mechanism to locate a fugitive suspect.

Alongside the red notice, Turkish courts have ordered the seizure of all movable and immovable assets, including bank accounts and business interests, to prevent asset transfers or potential evidence tampering. The case remains in the investigative phase, and no final judicial decision has yet been rendered.