06.01.2026 23:33
The additional statement given by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the former editor-in-chief of Habertürk, who was arrested as part of a drug investigation, has emerged. In his statement, Ersoy said, "I have no connection whatsoever with Ela Rumeysa Cebeci. I have never met her alone in my life. Ela had sent me a message two days before her detention. She said, 'Let's sit down and have coffee.' I replied, 'We work at the same institution, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to meet outside.' She then said, 'You are single, I am single, let's meet at home.'"
The 3-hour additional statement given by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the former General Manager of Habertürk TV, who was arrested in the drug investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, emerged on December 31, in which he requested to benefit from effective remorse.
"VEYIS ATEŞ BROUGHT DRUGS FOR THE FIRST TIME" In his additional statement, Mehmet Akif Ersoy stated: "As far as I remember, in 2019, while I was at my house in Piyalepaşa, Veyis Ateş came to me. He had visited me before as well. We would sit and chat. However, on this visit, he brought drugs with him. It was the first time I saw drugs there in my life. Later, we talked about what drugs are and what their effects are. At that time, I wasn't even drinking alcohol. On that day or during his second visit, I used drugs for the first time at my house in Piyalepaşa. I was even a bit hesitant about its addictive nature and side effects while using it.
"I USED IT IN THE FORM OF SNIFFING" Shortly after this incident, I had moved to my house in Kağıthane. During this time, I was in a relationship with E. A. D. Y. was also his friend. One day, while the three of us were having a meal in the garden, we met S. S. and a girl named Ezel. There were other people with them, but I don't remember them. S. S. and Ezel came to meet me because they recognized me from the screen. Later, E. A. started following these people on social media. Our friendship progressed this way, and they even invited us to their house for dinner. On January 8, 2020, S. S. and E. A. had prepared a surprise birthday party for me at S. S.'s house. When I went to S. S.'s house with E. A., there were 10-12 people there. I met Ahmet Göçmez there. After the crowd dispersed, there were only Ahmet, S. S., E. A., and me left in the house. I don't remember if there was anyone else. When we looked towards the kitchen, we noticed some activity there. Later, we realized that S. S. and Ahmet had used cocaine. Then S. S. asked me if I had tried it before. I said yes, I had tried it once. I didn't use it that day because I didn't feel safe. However, a month and a half later, when we went again, I used it. During that time, Ahmet and I became friends. Ahmet was there during my second visit. I don't remember exactly, but we might have gone together. The house was crowded again. After the crowd dispersed, S. S. prepared again. I used it for the first time there with them. S. S. told me it was in the kitchen. I went to the kitchen and used it in the form of sniffing.
"I USED DRUGS 10 TIMES" "This was my second time using drugs in my life. During this process, Ahmet and I became close. We started seeing each other more often. During this time, my relationship with E. A. was in a break-up and reconciliation phase. Shortly after January 8, 2021, we completely separated from Ebru. Later, I started dating Pınar. At first, Ahmet didn't show that he was using drugs, but as our friendship grew, I realized he was using drugs more frequently. At that time, Ahmet was living in Maslak. Shortly after we met, he moved to Emirgan. After he moved, we started seeing each other more often. There were drugs at Ahmet's house in Emirgan. We used it together a few times. Over a period of 3-4 years, we must have used drugs at Ahmet's house in Emirgan about 10 times. It was always there at Ahmet's house. I never witnessed him getting it from outside, but I knew he had a dealer. At that time, I never let Mustafa Manaz know that I was using drugs because he was very against drugs. I tried to use drugs as much as possible outside of Ahmet's house and outside of Gizem's house in Fikirtepe. Because I didn't want it to be known. Some of my friends, including Pınar, were uncomfortable with my close friendship with Ahmet. I might have used drugs at Gizem's house 2-3 times as well. Ahmet and Buse were also there.
"ELA RUMEYSA CEBECİ WANTED TO MEET AT HOME SAYING 'WE ARE BOTH SINGLE'" Mehmet Akif Ersoy stated, "Our marriage with Pınar has been a forced marriage from the very beginning. Even on the day we were to get married, we talked about the date of our divorce. I had Pınar file for divorce. Later, Pınar waived her rights. Then I filed for divorce. Mustafa Manaz had rented the house in Ulus. At that time, we were both in the process of divorce. In fact, we were considered to be living together. After staying in that house for a while, I returned to my home. During that process, I had asked Ahmet for drugs because I couldn't find any. He had given me drugs 1-2 times. Sometimes I would call Ahmet and ask him to order drugs for me. Since I was a known person, I didn't order from my own phone. When I needed it, I would ask my friends. Fevzi Çakır was very close to Ela. Fevzi acted as an intermediary for Ela to get a job. I have no connection with Ela Rumeysa Cebeci whatsoever. I have never met her alone in my life. Ela had sent me a message two days before she was detained. She said, 'Let's sit and have coffee.' I replied, 'We work at the same institution, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to meet outside.' She then said, 'You are single, I am single, let's meet at home.'
"I DID NOT KNOW SERCAN" Ersoy, who stated that he did not know Sercan Yaşar at all, said, "I took Kübra Nur Uslu. I took her so that they wouldn't say, 'Mehmet Akif came and fired the headscarf-wearing anchor.' Before hiring, I conducted a security investigation from the relevant institutions. Ece A. was Gizem's cousin. We had met at the house in Ulus. I used drugs with Ece 1 or 2 times. I haven't seen Ece for about 1.5 years. Gizem was Ahmet's girlfriend. Gizem Ayabaktı introduced me to Ece. There were drugs in the kitchen cabinet at the house in Ulus. We took it from there and used it. Nur Köşker was fired from the channel due to her absurd actions. That is why there is animosity. The claims of 24/7 camera recordings in the elevators are unfounded," he said.
"I DO NOT KNOW SARAN" Ersoy stated, "I do not know Sadettin Saran and Umut Evirgen. The Library we went to is now Therapy. I have been to the New Library at most 2-3 times. Ali Yaşar Koz is the operator of the Library.
I know Yılmaz Efe. He is a partner of the library. I know Reyhan K. We met several times at Ahmet's house. In fact, once Meltem Acet, Reyhan K., Ahmet, and I were there. Ahmet, Reyhan, and I used drugs, but I did not see Meltem using. I have not seen Hande Sarıoğlu for 5 years. She has nothing to do with these situations. The last time I used drugs was at Mustafa Manaz's office with Burcu and Mustafa Manaz, and I have not used since. I went to Taner Çağlı's house in Arnavutköy 2-3 times. Once, I witnessed unfamiliar people openly using drugs in the living room. In fact, Taner told me that I could use it. I said absolutely not. Because it was both crowded and in a public place. Some of the individuals were phenomenal, but I do not remember their names," he said.
"ALLEGATIONS THAT İMAMOĞLU WANTED TO BUY SHOW TV ARE FALSE" Ersoy concluded his statement with the following remarks: "While working with Kenan Tekdağ in Egypt, I was appearing on Habertürk broadcasts. Upon my return, Kenan Tekdağ and I sat down and chatted. This way, our intimacy progressed. Mr. Kenan praised my knowledge and skills at a young age. During this process, I was invited as a guest to Habertürk programs. Royalties were paid. Later, I moved to the Diyanet. I worked with Mehmet Görmez. During this process, we would meet every 4-5 months. In 2018, I resigned from TRT and started working as a presenter at Habertürk. Our intimacy increased afterward. I would not do any work without Mr. Kenan's knowledge. When the channel was transferred to TMSF, I wanted to leave, but I was asked to continue. When I went to human resources to calculate my severance pay, I saw that half of my salary was shown as presenting and half as the general publishing director. I was very upset. The allegations that İmamoğlu wanted to buy Show TV are false. The claims that I called Adem Soytekin and said 'buy Habertürk' are also slander."
WHAT HAPPENED? As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, former Habertürk General Publishing Director Mehmet Akif Ersoy was detained on charges of 'using drugs' and 'providing a place and opportunity for drug use.' After his statements at the prosecutor's office, Mehmet Akif Ersoy was referred to the peace criminal court and was arrested and sent to prison. Along with Ersoy, Mustafa Manaz, Ufuk Tetik, and Ebru Gülan were arrested, while the other 4 individuals were released under judicial control. Mehmet Akif Ersoy, whose hair and blood samples were taken at the Forensic Medicine Institution, tested 'positive' for drugs. According to the test results, 'Cocaine and its metabolites' were found in the hair samples taken from Mehmet Akif Ersoy, while no drugs were detected in the blood samples taken from him.