07.06.2026 10:50
Journalist Erhan Gülenç, who published footage of Rahmi Koç—who is under investigation for a joke about a 'Kurdish woman' he told at a hospital opening in İzmir—claimed he was threatened to remove the video. Gülenç alleged that an official called him saying, 'Remove this video immediately,' and when he did not comply, was told, 'It will be very bad if you don't remove it.'
A journalist who published the video of Rahmi Koç, whose racist and sexist "anecdote" during the opening of the American Hospital in Izmir caused a crisis and led to an investigation, stated that he was threatened after making a statement.
Rahmi Koç said, "The doctor listened to the Kurdish woman's complaint. When he said, 'Ma'am, go behind the curtain and undress,' the woman said, 'Doctor, you undress first.'" Although Koç apologized for the anecdote, the reactions did not subside.
"REMOVE THIS VIDEO IMMEDIATELY" CLAIM
Making a statement on his social media account, Gülenç claimed that after the footage was published, he was called by Erhan Bulutçu, whom he later learned was the President of Koç Healthcare Group.
Gülenç stated that he was asked to remove the video, saying, "You have published this video, remove it immediately." The journalist, who said he refused the request, claimed that he was then told, "If you don't remove it, it will be very bad."
"I AM A JOURNALIST, I AM NOT REMOVING IT"
Gülenç, who stated that he did not agree to remove the video, expressed that he felt threatened during the conversation. The journalist said that the footage they published was news concerning the public interest and therefore he did not back down.
APOLOGY CALL FROM SENIOR EXECUTIVE
Gülenç also claimed that after these developments, a senior executive from Koç Healthcare Group called him and apologized during the conversation. Gülenç stated that the executive said the conversation occurred due to the stress of the opening and the incident, and also expressed concern that a campaign against Rahmi Koç might be launched.
"ONE OF THE MOST HONORABLE ACTS OF MY JOURNALISM CAREER"
Gülenç said he was proud of his decision not to remove the footage. The journalist stated that while covering the hospital opening, they did not just focus on the ribbon cutting but also recorded and shared the interior footage with the public.
##19917880##
##19919416##
##19917691##
##19919061##
##19919334##
##19917243##