The name of Hande Ercel has found itself at the center of a high-profile investigation in Turkey. On March 25, local media reported that the actress has been summoned for questioning in a case related to drugs. This is not about a verdict or an arrest, the Istanbul police is conducting a review and collecting testimonies from those involved.
What the allegations are about
According to the investigation, 16 people are involved in the case. Among them are billionaires Hakan Sabancı and Kerim Sabancı, former presidents of football clubs «Besiktas» and «Galatasaray,» former footballer Ferhat Aydın, and actor Tugce Ozbudak from the series «Adanalı.»
Some suspects have already been detained. Ercel is currently abroad and has not yet given testimony. Hakan Sabanci is also outside Turkey.
It is alleged that all the suspects attended private parties hosted by businessman Kasım Garipoglu, where drugs were used and sex workers were present. Their names were reportedly found in the phone of the Garipoglu family driver, Ismail Ahmet Akcay.
Hande Ercel stated that she learned about the situation from the media. She emphasised that she is ready to return to Turkey and cooperate with the investigation. There is no mention of charges or admission of guilt.
The Garipoglu surname has previously appeared in one of Turkey’s most high-profile criminal cases — in 2009, Cem Garipoglu was convicted of the murder of 17-year-old Munevver Karabulut. The trial lasted nearly two years. In 2011, Garipoğlu was sentenced to 24 years in prison. In 2014, he was found dead in his cell. The official version was suicide.
Who Hande Ercel is
Hande Ercel is one of Turkey’s most popular actresses and one of the leading stars of Turkish TV series in recent years. She was born in 1993 in the city of Bandirma to a family of a trade worker and a housewife. Her career began with modelling competitions and small television roles. At the age of 19, she won second place in a beauty contest in Azerbaijan.
She gained widespread recognition through the projects «Gunesin Kızları» and «Ask Laftan Anlamaz.» However, her real breakthrough came with the series «Sen Cal Kapimi,» in which she played the lead role.
The series became an international hit, and Erçel gained popularity beyond Turkey, in Russia, CIS countries, the Middle East and Latin America. After that, she began активно сотрудничать (actively collaborate) with fashion brands and became one of the most recognisable Turkish actresses.
The actress’s personal life
During the filming of «Sen Cal Kapimi,» Hande Ercel began a relationship with her co-star Kerem Bursin. The couple confirmed their romance in 2021 after a trip to the Maldives, but broke up a year later.
Later, the actress was linked to Hakan Sabanci. Their relationship was widely discussed in the press, including due to alleged pressure from the Sabanci family. In 2025, reports emerged that the couple had separated.
After the breakup, tabloids reported a possible new relationship with producer Onur Guvenatam. The pair were seen together, but no official confirmation followed.
Scandals
In 2018, bloggers Burak Altındag and Alp Kilinc published a video mocking the actress’s appearance and comparing her face to «flatbread.» The clip quickly gained hundreds of thousands of views and triggered a wave of negative comments.
Ercel filed a lawsuit, accusing the bloggers of insult and invasion of privacy. A Turkish court ruled that the statements were offensive and ordered them to pay compensation for moral damages.
After the success of «Sen Cal Kapimi,» some skeptics suggested that Ercel’s relationship with Kerem Bursin could have been part of the project’s promotion strategy to maintain high ratings.
In 2024, during the holy month of Ramadan, the actress faced backlash after posting photos of desserts and sweets from a trip to Japan on social media. Conservative audiences accused her of disrespecting traditions.
Her relationship with Hakan Sabanci was accompanied by scandals and intense media attention from the very beginning. The situation was intensified by Sabancı’s former partner Aygun Aydin, who publicly spoke about having a child with the businessman, shared personal photos, and commented on their relationship. Reports also suggested that Sabanci’s mother did not approve of his relationship with the actress.
After the release of the series «Remember Love» and the film «Ruzgara Birak,» a new wave of controversy emerged online. Conservative audiences criticized explicit scenes featuring Ercel and her co-star Barıs Arduc. According to rumours, Sabanci’s mother was particularly displeased. Ercel responded publicly, stating that the project was aimed at an international audience and should not be judged through the lens of «scandal.»
The actress has also frequently faced criticism for experimenting with her appearance. At different times, she has been accused of undergoing plastic surgery, discussed for noticeable weight loss after a personal tragedy, and criticised for «too bold» makeup and style.
At the end of 2025, Ercel purchased a $2 mln villa in the Riva district of Istanbul and rented property in London, which led to accusations of a luxurious lifestyle.
Context: a series of investigations in Turkey
The case involving Ercel is not an isolated incident. Since autumn 2025, Turkish police have been conducting a series of investigations related to drug use among celebrities.
At various times, names such as Berrak Tuzunatac, Metin Akdulger, Dogukan Gungor, and Can Yaman have appeared in similar cases.
What’s next
After returning to Turkey, Hande Ercel will undergo a medical examination and provide testimony. Based on these procedures, the prosecutor’s office will decide on further steps. For now, the actress is considered a person of interest, and her guilt has not been proven.
