29.01.2025 17:21
In the expert investigation, journalists Serhan Asker and Seda Selak, who were detained, were released with a travel ban and the condition of signing once a week.
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During a press conference held by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, journalists Barış Pehlivan, Seda Selek, and Serhan Asker were detained last night as part of an investigation initiated regarding the expert witness he brought to the agenda with successive allegations.
SERHAN ASKER AND SEDA SELEK RELEASED UNDER JUDICIAL CONTROL
Today, the prosecutor's office requested judicial control for Seda Selek and Serhan Asker, who were referred to the courthouse. It was stated that no decision has yet been made regarding Barış Pehlivan. Serhan Asker and Seda Selek were released under judicial control conditions after appearing before the judge. A travel ban was imposed on the two journalists, while Asker and Selek will report to the police station once a week to sign.
ATTENTION-GRABBING DETAILS IN THE STATEMENT OF HALK TV
Following the start of detentions within the scope of the expert witness investigation, Halk TV made a statement. The statement included the following: "The person who recorded this conversation is not Barış Pehlivan. It is Halk TV Program Coordinator Kürşad Oğuz, who was present at that time. He recorded the source's statements as a journalistic reflex.
This is not a recording made with prior planning. When the news source was called, and it was understood that the person being called was the correct name, the recording was initiated as a journalistic reflex. Immediately after the conversation, the statements were broadcast again as a journalistic reflex. The decision to publish was made by the Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş."
TWO MORE NAMES SUMMONED FOR TESTIMONY IN THE INVESTIGATION
Around 14:30, Halk TV Program Coordinator Kürşad Oğuz, who recorded the conversation with the expert witness, and Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş, who allowed the broadcast of the footage, were summoned for testimony.
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