Attacks are an expression of fear

NEWS CENTER

The one-man regime has reached a new level in its attacks on the opposition. The "espionage investigation" launched against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu , election campaign director Necati Özkan, and TELE 1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ, along with Yanardağ's detention and the appointment of a trustee to TELE 1, has escalated the attacks to a new level.

While Yanardağ's detention was extended yesterday, the first action taken by former Yeni Şafak columnist İbrahim Paşalı, appointed trustee of TELE 1 by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) the day before, was to halt broadcasts. Paşalı instructed the channel management to return to "non-political taped broadcasts" by tomorrow, and news on tele1.com.tr was also suspended until the same date. Paşalı's actions against the channel didn't end there. Trustee Paşalı deleted all videos posted to TELE 1's YouTube account, and subsequently shut down the YouTube channel.

The main purpose is clear

Merdan Yanardağ met with his lawyer, Bilgütay Durna. Durna made a statement to BirGün about the meeting. Durna reported that Yanardağ was in good health and spirits, saying, "He thanked him for his solidarity actions and visits. He expressed his love. He said, 'I knew I wouldn't be left alone.' He interpreted the trustee decision as 'the true purpose of the operation has become clear.' He reiterated his denial of the accusations."

BRIGHT DAYS ARE COMING

Following the events, statements of support for TELE 1 were swift. The appointment of a trustee for the channel was considered an attack on press freedom. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently imprisoned in Silivri, also reacted to the events. In a statement, İmamoğlu said, “Merdan Yanardağ was detained in the dead of morning, and a trustee was hastily appointed to TELE 1 that evening. Moreover, those who perpetrated this didn't even ask a single question of journalist Merdan Yanardağ or receive his defense. Let us be clear: This is a collapse. This is heavy censorship of the media, the lifeblood of democracy. This is intimidation. But whatever you do is futile. You cannot hide the truth from this noble nation. The truth will overcome every obstacle and will ultimately triumph.”

Following the trustee decision, support visits to the channel by political parties and press organizations continued yesterday.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Gökhan Durmuş, President of the Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS), stated that they would not hand over TELE 1 to the trustee. Durmuş said, "The whole point is to prevent information from reaching the public and portray the country in a rosy light. Unfortunately, anyone who opposes this is facing oppression. We will fight together until we get TELE 1 back from the trustee."

The Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) released a statement saying, "The SDIF's interventions against media organizations represent a worrying new phase in the crisis of press freedom and democracy. We remind you that there can be no democracy without press freedom, and no social peace or prosperity without democracy. The SDIF's interventions directly put pressure on the independence and impartiality of the press."

The Istanbul Bar Association released a statement saying, “It has been learned that a trustee was appointed to TELE 1 following Yanardağ’s detention on suspicion of espionage. These practices violate Articles 19, 26, 28, and 35 of the Constitution.” The statement also included the following statements: “These systematic practices, which target journalists, human rights defenders, and political party representatives, and appoint trustees to democratic institutions and free press organizations, contradict the very essence of the Republic.”

Visits continued at TELE 1's Ankara office. Ceren Bayar, Secretary General of the Contemporary Journalists Association (ÇGD), said, "We do not accept such contradictory, anti-democratic practices at a time when peace is being built in Türkiye and hopes for democracy are blossoming, however faint."

Yusuf Kanlı, Vice President of the Journalists' Association, said, "Of course, we will overcome these days with solidarity and unity. Turkey will eventually reach brighter days." Turgut Dedeoğlu, President of the DİSK Press-Labour Union, stated that this practice not only violates freedom of the press but also private property.

TELE 1 CANNOT BE SILENCED

Following the press organizations' statement, the Secularism Assembly and the Left Party also issued statements. Left Party Spokesperson İsmail Hakkı Tombul said, "Yesterday, a plot was set up against TELE 1, and an operation was conducted under the pretext of accusing Merdan Yanardağ of being a spy. Yanardağ is anti-imperialist. Yanardağ is patriotic. Yanardağ is a journalist. Using this operation against Yanardağ as justification, TELE 1 was also virtually cracked down on, confiscated, and censored. An attempt was made to silence TELE 1. But we know that all media outlets, especially TELE 1, that provide the public with access to real news are the voice of the people, and the people stand behind them. We are here today to once again show our solidarity with both Yanardağ and TELE 1."

Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu, a spokesperson for the Secularism Assembly, said: "The unlawfulness of the investigation is one thing, and the trustee appointed due to this unlawfulness is another. While there was no blackout imposed by RTÜK or any other competent authority, we do not accept those either. The broadcast schedule was interfered with. It was effectively turned into a blackout, as if it could not continue its normal broadcasting during this period. The aim here is to interfere with fundamental rights and freedoms. In this context, it interferes with freedom of the press, property rights, and the public's right to know the truth."

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TRUSTEE OF EVERYWHERE!

Following the detention of TELE 1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ, a trustee was appointed to TELE 1 yesterday evening. The trustee board is headed by İbrahim Paşalı, a former Yeni Şafak columnist whose name has been constantly in the news recently regarding trustee appointments.

Paşalı was initially appointed as a trustee of Flash TV following the arrest of its owner, Erkan Kork, on charges of money laundering and illegal betting. Similarly, as part of the Papara investigation, which was launched on charges of laundering illegal proceeds, EkoTürk, a 70% shareholder of Papara, was also included in the investigation. Paşalı was also appointed as a trustee of EkoTürk, a television channel primarily broadcasting economics and appointed by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF).

Paşalı's name was also mentioned in the board of trustees appointed to media outlets as part of the investigation launched into Can Holding. These outlets include Show TV, Bloomberg HT, and HaberTürk.

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IMAMOGLU WILL BE BRINGED TO CAGLAYAN TODAY

It was learned that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu will be brought to Çağlayan Courthouse today as part of the espionage investigation.

İmamoğlu will be brought to Çağlayan at 11:00 a.m. to give a statement regarding the investigation. Following his statement, İmamoğlu will be questioned by the on-duty criminal judge of peace, if requested by the prosecutor's office. CHP leader Özgür Özel issued a statement regarding his summons to testify, calling on all citizens. Özel said, "I am returning to Türkiye immediately. I invite all Istanbulites to the Çağlayan Courthouse to support the will of both the mayors they elected and, by their own will, the future president, Ekrem İmamoğlu."