16.10.2026 07:40
Journalist Murat Ağırel was detained in the morning hours. Ağırel had previously testified as part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into capital market transactions. Ağırel, who was initially released under judicial control conditions, was later ordered to house arrest following the prosecutor's objection.
Journalist and writer Murat Ağırel has been detained. About a week ago, Ağırel testified within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into transactions carried out in the capital market, after which it was decided to impose a judicial control measure on him in the form of house arrest.
HE HAD BEEN SUMMONED TO TESTIFY IN THE FUND INVESTIGATION
On October 8, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office summoned journalists Murat Ağırel and İsmail Saymaz to testify as suspects within the scope of the investigation into capital market transactions.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the two journalists made statements misleading the public about the fund investigation being conducted. Ağırel and Saymaz were accused of publicly disseminating misleading information to the public. Within the scope of the same investigation, a detention order was also issued for journalists Şaban Sevinç and Mustafa Balcı.
HE WAS FIRST RELEASED, THEN PLACED UNDER HOUSE ARREST
Murat Ağırel and İsmail Saymaz, who went to the Istanbul Courthouse on October 9 and testified, were referred to the criminal court of peace with a request for judicial control after proceedings at the prosecutor's office. The court decided to release the two journalists subject to an obligation to sign and a ban on leaving the country.
However, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office objected to this decision. Evaluating the objection, Istanbul 4th Criminal Court of Peace ruled on October 10 that a judicial control measure in the form of house arrest be imposed on Ağırel and Saymaz. Şaban Sevinç and Mustafa Balcı, who were detained in the same investigation, were arrested.
AĞIREL HAD RESPONDED TO THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST HIM
In a program he appeared on Sözcü TV on October 7, Ağırel stated that he was investigating the allegations regarding fund investments raised by MP Ümit Özlale in Parliament. Ağırel rejected the accusations made against him and argued that investigating the allegations made public was his journalistic activity.
WHO IS MURAT AĞIREL?
Murat Ağırel was born on September 23, 1980, in the Ceyhan district of Adana. Ağırel, who completed his primary and secondary education in Ceyhan, graduated from Anadolu University's Department of Foreign Trade.
Ağırel, who works as a journalist and writer, is known especially for his investigations on public expenditures, tenders, and economic relations.
In 2006, Ağırel took part in the founding of the civil society platform named How Many Are We?, and later founded the Homeland Lovers Association and served as its chairman.