The singer was arrested on Feb. 24, 2009 and subsequently held at the İstanbul Bakırköy Prison for suspected cocaine use. She was released by an İstanbul court following a hearing on Oct. 1.Seki did not attend the most recent hearing in the case, held at the İstanbul 9th High Criminal Court on Thursday, citing health problems.
Chief Public Prosecutor Berna Atalay said Seki was in possession of illegal substances with the intent to sell, a crime that carries an eight-year prison sentence.
Seki allegedly started using drugs after she became involved with Hüsnü Şenlendirici. The relationship became highly publicized because Şenlendirici, a clarinetist, was married at the time. Funda Şebnem, a witness in the case, said she had previously seen Seki use drugs with Şenlendirici. Şenlendirici and Seki have since split up.
Police wiretapped Seki’s telephone conversations to find out whether she was involved in selling drugs. The conversations revealed that Seki was in contact with Sinan Yüksel, who is among 19 suspects being tried for drug possession with the intent to sell. According to the wiretapped conversations, Seki obtained the drugs from Yüksel. Furthermore, Seki’s chauffeur, Mecit Çam, sometimes delivered the drugs from Yüksel to Seki. When Seki could not afford to buy the drugs, Yüksel sent them to Seki as a present. A friendship formed between Seki and Yüksel, and the pop singer began to sell drugs to her friends.
Prosecutor Atalay also demanded a prison term of nine to 39 years for Hakan Çınar, the alleged leader of the 19 suspects.
The next hearing in the trial has been scheduled for June 24.
