12.06.2026 14:30
The Ministry of Interior announced that an investigation has been launched into the allegations of 'strip search during detention' raised by Medya AŞ General Manager Fatoş Pınar Türker, who is on trial under arrest as part of the IMM investigation, beginning her statement in court with 'Let the ashamed step forward.' A civil inspector and a police inspector have been assigned for the investigation.
The claim that a 'strip search' was conducted during the detention process of Medya AŞ General Manager Fatoş Pınar Türker, who is being tried under arrest in the corruption case against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), has resonated publicly. While the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Istanbul Police Department rejected the allegations as 'baseless,' the Ministry of Interior announced that a civil inspector and a police inspector have been assigned to investigate the claims in all aspects.
MINISTRY LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION
In a written statement by the Ministry of Interior regarding the matter, it stated: 'Following allegations reflected in the public that a person being tried under arrest in a criminal case was subjected to ill-treatment and unlawful search practices during the detention process, an investigation has been launched upon the instructions of our Minister of Interior, Mustafa Çiftçi. A civil inspector and a police inspector have been assigned to transparently investigate the said allegations in all their legal, administrative, and technical aspects. Announced to the public with respect.'
FATOŞ PINAR TÜRKER'S 'STRIP SEARCH' CLAIM
Fatoş Pınar Türker, General Manager of Medya AŞ, who is defending herself in the corruption case against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), claimed that she was subjected to a strip search during the detention process. In her speech, where she had difficulty at times, Türker described her experience as follows:
'A female officer took me to a place like an archive room. She said, 'Undress.' I said, 'What do you mean?' She put gloves on her hands. There were folders behind, a very small room. 'Take off your top,' she said. I took off my top. She did a check. 'Okay, you can put your top back on,' she said. I said, 'Can I go?' 'No, pull down your sweatpants too,' she said. I pulled them down. 'Your underwear too.' I said, 'What do you mean?' 'You will pull them down,' she said. So I pulled both down to my ankles. 'Now squat down on the ground,' she said. If there are those who are ashamed, they can leave; I am not ashamed, but this is done to break these people's honor and pride, but let the one who does it be ashamed, I am not ashamed. 'Expose your genital organ,' she said. 'Turn your head and back, bend over,' etc. She said, 'Okay.' Since she put on gloves but didn't use them, we were happy. Because I thought something like a gynecological exam was going to happen. When she put on gloves, we were relieved at the police station; I will never forget Fatoş's screams and Elif's crying after being arrested.'
CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE DENIES ALLEGATIONS: COMPLETELY BASELESS
After Türker's claims in the courtroom were reflected in the press and social media, the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office took action and published an official press release.
In the statement, it was reminded that Türker, who was arrested on March 23, 2025, on charges of bribery, was admitted to the Marmara Women's Closed Penitentiary Institution on the same day, and it was emphasized that the allegations of a strip search and being held in a warehouse were completely baseless.
'SEARCH LASTED ONLY 1 MINUTE, CLOTHES WERE NOT REMOVED'
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the admission and search procedures at the institution were carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 34 of the legislation, sharing the details of the search moment with the following words:
'The search in question was conducted in an area not visible from the outside and without any image recording, and there was no removal of the detainee's clothes as alleged. The search process started at 18:01 and was completed at 18:02.'
SIGNED THE REPORT SAYING 'I HAVE NO COMPLAINT'
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that in the document drawn up after the search, it was clearly determined that the detainee Fatoş Pınar Türker personally stated that 'she had no damage or complaints.'
As a result of the statement, allegations that the defendant was kept in a warehouse outside the designated living areas were also rejected, stating that admission and placement procedures in the prison were carried out in full compliance with the law.
STATEMENT FROM ISTANBUL POLICE DEPARTMENT
A denial of the allegations came from the Istanbul Police Department. The statement included the following: 'The Istanbul Police Department deemed it necessary to make a statement to inform the public correctly regarding the baseless allegations appearing in some media outlets and social media platforms.
In the said posts, statements have been included regarding the practices that Medya A.Ş. General Manager (arrested) Fatoş Pınar Türker claimed to have been subjected to during her detention at the Istanbul Police Department.
'ALL PROCEDURES WERE CARRIED OUT IN COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION'
All arrest, detention, body search, and judicial processes carried out within the Istanbul Police Department are conducted within the framework of the Constitution, relevant legislative provisions, human rights principles, and procedures open to judicial review. Maximum sensitivity is shown to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of detained individuals, and all procedures are carried out in accordance with legal legislation.
In the incident in question, no practices contrary to legislation were carried out in the procedures performed during the individual's detention process, and the allegations do not reflect the truth. Presented to the public with respect.'