Turkish singer probed for using one dollar bills in music video

ISTANBUL

An investigation has been launched into popular pop singer Mabel Matiz after an unidentified person claimed he has links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group believed to have orchestrated the failed 2016 coup attempt, for using one dollar banknotes in a music video for a song that topped Turkish music charts.

The investigation was launched by the Istanbul’s Public Prosecutor’s Office after the unidentified person filed a complaint against the singer.

The person claimed Matiz had links to FETÖ because he appeared in the music video shot for his track “Ya Bu İşler Ne?” throwing one U.S. dollar bills into the air.

The person claimed that Matiz deliberately used one dollar bills in the music video to show support for FETÖ.

As part of the investigation, the singer gave a statement to the prosecutors.

Matiz told the prosecutors that the music video was the work of the producer and he did not edit the video but the producer did.

The singer added that he did not intent to support FETÖ, according to Sabah newspaper.

The investigation is still ongoing, the newspaper reported.

According to security sources, FETÖ members use one dollar bills as a secret code within the organization.

Security forces have seized one dollar bills in operations against FETÖ suspects.