09.10.2026 14:11
Within the scope of the 'drug' investigation, the second hearing of the trial of 7 defendants, including journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who has been detained for 10 months, was held. Ersoy, who requested his release and acquittal, said: "There is no organization, I am not an organization leader or anything like that. If you type my name into the internet, you will see slander, insults, ugly allegations; in this state, you can be sure that I cannot even leave the house, let alone flee." Presenter Meltem Acet, on the other hand, requested to be removed from the case file.
The trial of Mehmet Akif Ersoy and 7 defendants, who were arrested within the scope of the 'drug' investigation and for whom imprisonment from 11 years 3 months up to 286 years 2 months is sought, continues.
In the indictment prepared about journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy and 7 suspects arrested within the scope of the 'drug' investigation, it was requested that Ersoy be punished with up to 286 years 2 months in prison for the crimes of 'establishing and managing a criminal organization', 11 times 'aggravated sexual assault', 'drug or stimulant trafficking or supplying' and 'facilitating drug use'. The second hearing of the case, alleged to be led by journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy, was held today at Istanbul 19th Heavy Penal Court. At the hearing, detained defendants Mehmet Akif Ersoy and Mustafa Manaz, non-detained defendants and victims were present.
“I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT ANYONE”
Victim Elif Kılınç, stating that her drug test was negative, said, “I was not victimized by those whose names are mentioned in this file or by anyone else. I was not subjected to a sexual assault; if I had been, I would have complained that day. But during this process I was victimized, I lost my job, I lost my health. It was not Mehmet Akif Ersoy who hired me. I am not complaining about anyone, nor am I a victim.”
“MY LIFE WAS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN OVERNIGHT”
Meltem Acet, who testified as a victim, said, “I am 52 years old, my whole life was turned upside down. My name was included in this investigation through a fiction. I am not a victim in this file, nor am I a complainant. But I am a victim because of what I experienced, I am a victim because my name is mentioned in this file; I was taken from my home as a suspect. My private life, down to my home address, was shared on social media. My life was turned upside down overnight. I do not want to be in this environment. I suffered material and moral losses. I want my name removed and I do not want to be involved in this file again. I did not witness anything. Mehmet Akif had no influence on my getting a job or being promoted. I have no acquaintance or meeting with him.”
IT EMERGED THAT THE SECRET WITNESS ATTENDED THE FIRST HEARING
The presiding judge told the secret witness that the defendants had stated that he was in the courtroom at the previous hearing, and asked whether he was there. The secret witness said, “I was in this courtroom at the previous hearing, I listened to the hearing.” Thereupon, the presiding judge said, “We cannot hear you in this way. We are removing you from witness testimony.”
“I AM NOT AN ORGANIZATION LEADER, I APOLOGIZE”
Detained defendant Mehmet Akif Ersoy said, “It has been seen that none of the acts occurred. It is clear that none of the crimes attributed by the prosecutor have any evidence, and no one is complaining. At the previous hearing I apologized to some names, and I also apologize to Meltem and Elif because of what they experienced due to being my friends. There is no organization, I am not an organization leader or anything like that. Men became defendants, women became victims. Everyone was initially a suspect. Everyone here is a victim. I request my release. If you write my name on the internet, you will see slander, insults, ugly allegations; you can be sure that in this state, let alone fleeing, I cannot even go out of the house. I request my release and acquittal.”
“IT HURTS ME VERY MUCH”
Detained defendant Mustafa Manaz said, “The presumption of innocence was disregarded. It hurts me very much, I cannot bear it. I lived for my honor and dignity. I had a company; now a lien has been placed on it and bank accounts have been blocked. There is nothing concrete in the file, it is all rumor and talk. I cannot stomach it. I want my release and acquittal.”
CONTINUATION OF DETENTION WAS REQUESTED
In the prosecutor's interim opinion, it was requested that the detention of the detained defendants continue and that the missing points in the file be completed.