The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office has appointed a temporary administrator to the Turkey Grand Masonic Lodge.
Medianews.az, citing Azpost.info, reports that the Lodge's president Ramzi Sanver was arrested in October 2025 within the framework of the investigation initiated against "Can Holding."
For this reason, the Masonic Lodge announced that it could not hold a general assembly. The Prosecutor's Office also appointed a temporary administrator (custodian) to the Lodge.
In the complaint submitted to the court by Lodge member Ali Rza Aral, it is stated that the complaint was made against Remzi Sanver and therefore he cannot fulfill the duties of the Lodge president. Article 28 of the Charter of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons says: "If the position of Grand Master becomes vacant due to death, resignation, or other reasons, the Grand Lodge must convene within three months to elect a Grand Master."
As mentioned above, the three-month period specified in the charter ended on January 20, 2026. However, since there were no resignations, no election was held and the president position remained vacant. Therefore, an election must be held for the position of Association president. Despite the charter requirement, the Board of Directors did not call a general assembly, which necessitated filing this complaint.
Based on the complaint received, the Istanbul Civil Court appointed a temporary administrator to the Turkey Masonic Lodge. The court hearing regarding the complaint will be held on October 20, 2026.
Sanver has been detained in connection with Can Holding. He was arrested on charges of "participation in a criminal organization to make a profit" and "money laundering of proceeds obtained by criminal means."
Ramzi Sanver was born in Istanbul in 1970. He graduated from the Industrial Engineering faculty of Boğaziçi University and earned a doctorate in economics from the same institution. From 2011 to 2015, he served as the rector of Istanbul Bilgi University.
In 1991, he was admitted to the Masonic Lodge in Istanbul. He served as Grand Master from 2010 to 2013 and was re-elected to this position in 2023.