01.07.2026 17:50
Defendant Murat Ongun, who is standing trial at the IMM hearing, defended the fugitive defendant Emrah Bağdatlı. Ongun said, 'I love Emrah very much. I do not turn my back on my friends, on people whose actions I know, just because prosecutors accuse them. They accused me and Emrah, and then they walked away. Murat Ongun became the devil, Emrah Bağdatlı became the devil. Everyone piled on Emrah.'
In the 60th session of the 'Ekrem İmamoğlu Criminal Organization for Profit' hearing, Media Inc. Board Chairman Murat Ongun made his defense. Detained defendant Ongun said about the fugitive defendant Emrah Bağdatlı, 'I love Emrah very much. I don't turn my back on my friends, on people whose actions I know, just because prosecutors accuse them. They accused me and Emrah, then they walked away. Murat Ongun became the devil, Emrah Bağdatlı became the devil. Everyone piled on Emrah. Then this friend went abroad. There was an operation on March 19. Emrah didn't return to the country, didn't return to Turkey, he stayed outside. When Emrah Bağdatlı stayed outside, it became a bit of a whipping boy situation. Everyone piled on him.'
ISTANBUL METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY HEARING CONTINUES
The 60th session of the first hearing of the 'Ekrem İmamoğlu Criminal Organization for Profit' case continued to be held in the courtroom at the Marmara Penal Execution Institutions Complex by the Istanbul 40th Heavy Penal Court. At the hearing, detained defendant Media Inc. Board Chairman Murat Ongun made his defense.
In the assessment regarding Murat Ongun, defined as an organization leader in the indictment, it was stated that he served as a presidential advisor in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and was on the board of Media Inc., one of the IMM subsidiaries. The indictment stated that although Ongun had no other title or responsibility within the municipality, due to his position as a 'leader' in the organization, he gave all instructions regarding the IMM subsidiaries Media Inc. and Culture Inc., as well as the Real Estate Management Department.
The indictment also explained that Murat Ongun managed critical processes such as putting up and removing billboards, determining how much money would be collected from whom for these operations, selecting companies to participate in tenders within these units, making payments, and social media and press structuring. It was also stated in the indictment that there were statements regarding Ongun organizing advertising tenders through subsidiaries, which are one of the organization's important revenue sources, and that Murat Ongun was held responsible in the report prepared by the Interior Ministry Civil Inspectors.
'I DON'T STAND BY MY FRIEND'S WRONGDOING'
Detained defendant Murat Ongun, stating that he would make some statements in his defense about his friend, the fugitive defendant Emrah Bağdatlı, said: 'Many confessors were released using the same or similar sentences. By accusing Murat Ongun and Emrah Bağdatlı. I've known Emrah for over 20 years. In the early 2000s, I was a reporter and he was a camera assistant. Ultimately, a Rize native, Black Sea crew, becomes an entrepreneur. He also founded a company for himself. And it went on like that for years. Emrah Bağdatlı doesn't have a room in the Communications Coordination Office. By the way, I love Emrah very much. I don't turn my back on my friends, on people whose actions I know, just because prosecutors accuse them. That's against my character and nature. If my friend does wrong, I don't stand by it, but I'm not the type of person to walk around saying 'Let me not hit Emrah' just because exaggerated accusations are made against someone whose actions I know.'
'WHY WOULD I PREVENT EMRAH BAĞDATLI FROM ENTERING TENDERS'
Continuing his defense, Ongun said: 'Emrah would come to the Communications Coordination Office 1 or 2 days a week. When he came, he would stay at most 1-2 hours. He would come to my room and sit next to me. This person has companies and experience with his 15-year partner in media, production, film, and events. Naturally, there are many people I know and consult with on ideas for running these areas in the healthiest way on behalf of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. One of them is my close friend Emrah Bağdatlı. Why would I prevent Emrah Bağdatlı from entering these tenders? The man is already operating in this field. Why would I go into a covert, secret, parallel structure, organize 50 companies, and conduct my business with them?'
'EMRAH BAĞDATLI BECAME THE DEVIL'
In his defense, Murat Ongun said: 'For 2.5 months, they trampled on Media Inc., the smallest company of IMM, and trampled on me. Naturally, because of his closeness to me, they trampled on Emrah. They accused me and Emrah, then they walked away. Murat Ongun became the devil, Emrah Bağdatlı became the devil. Emrah Bağdatlı is one of the most social people I've seen; he likes conversation, has charm, is likable. If a friend has previous experience and knowledge about a task, shouldn't I consult them? Shouldn't I ask, for example, 'Emrah, is there such a company, do you know them?' I also have a personal relationship with him, we see each other as families. But it's not as exaggerated as the statements claim.'
'WHEN HE STAYED OUTSIDE, IT BECAME A WHIPPING BOY SITUATION'
Continuing his defense, Murat Ongun said: 'Everyone piled on Emrah. Then, on March 5 or 6, if I remember correctly, this friend went abroad. There was an operation on March 19. Emrah didn't return to the country, didn't return to Turkey, he stayed outside. When Emrah Bağdatlı stayed outside, it became a bit of a whipping boy situation. Everyone piled on him. Honestly, even Emrah couldn't exaggerate himself as much as the prosecutors did. Can they show a bank money transfer or money movement between me and Emrah Bağdatlı in 25 years? No. I really don't understand a mentality that indexes all friendship relationships to money, trade, and tenders. I mean, can't two people, two men, be good friends and comrades with each other?'