14.12.2025 08:35
Journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who was arrested as part of a drug investigation, made a new statement through his lawyers. Ersoy, who clarified whom he was referring to with the words "I was subjected to an operation," drew attention with his statement: "I have also heard that there are people whose ambitions are several leagues beyond their intellect, who, after becoming my adversaries, roam around saying, 'I will take Akif down,' or harbor animosity because their specific demands and expectations were not met."
Former Habertürk Editor-in-Chief Mehmet Akif Ersoy was arrested on charges of "facilitating drug use" and "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime."
ERSOY: THIS IS A POLITICAL OPERATION
In his defense at the court that decided on his arrest, Ersoy stated, "This is clearly a political operation," which infuriated former AK Party Member of Parliament Şamil Tayyar.
SHARP REACTION FROM AK PARTY'S TAYYAR
Tayyar made the following statements in his remarks: "I will not delve into the allegations against him based on the presumption of innocence. I have a couple of words regarding the term 'political operation.' He has influential friends in the state and politics, but he is not an important figure that would necessitate a political operation. While it is possible to dismiss a manager within the TMSF in a second, why would such an operation be carried out? Or when an operation is conducted, which group or clique would lose political standing? What is his stature that he could burn such a large area? He has assigned himself too much significance. I believe he thought he was untouchable thanks to his influential friends, and he did not expect to fall so hard from the top of the relationships he recklessly stirred; now he is in shock. I hope he learns from what he has experienced."
ERSOY BACKPEDALS ON "OPERATION" CLAIM
Following these remarks, Mehmet Akif Ersoy made a new statement through his lawyers, backpedaling on his "political operation" claim. Ersoy's words, specifying whom he was referring to, drew attention: "I have also heard that there are people whose ambitions are several leagues beyond their intellect, who roam around saying 'I will blow up Akif' after becoming my adversary, or who harbor enmity because their specific demands and expectations were not met."
"I SAW THAT I OPENED THE DOOR TO MISUNDERSTANDINGS"
Ersoy's full statement is as follows: "As is known, I was taken into custody on Tuesday evening. I spent the night in detention completely sleepless and stressed. I went through a highly exhausting process both physically and mentally, including health checks, forensic examinations, prosecutor's questioning, and court testimony. Today, my lawyer shared some social media comments regarding my arrest process with me. Among these were comments and criticisms from our esteemed elder Şamil Tayyar regarding my 'political operation' statement. This gave me the opportunity to revisit my statement. I realized that my words 'it is a political operation' exceeded my intent and opened the door to misunderstandings regarding both the government and judicial authorities. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that this expression is unfortunate in terms of the perception it has created and does not reflect my intent. To clarify; there is no need for a political operation by the political authority for me to be removed from my position in the media group managed by TMSF. A declaration of intent in this direction is sufficient. On the other hand, judicial authorities are obliged to evaluate the reports and complaints submitted to them, and this is part of their duties."
"I TARGETED THOSE TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE PROCESS"
When I say that I have been subjected to an operation, what I mean is that some individuals who reported to the judicial authorities or filed complaints while concealing their identities have attempted to mislead the judicial authorities by conducting a baseless, unjust, and organized operation against me. The entity I targeted with this statement is not the judicial authorities; it is those individuals and circles who are trying to manipulate the processes, whether knowingly or unknowingly. I practice a profession where competition is ruthless. I have certain insights into the background of news made on gossip sites and social media accounts. I have also heard that there are people whose ambitions are several leagues beyond their intellect, who roam around saying 'I will blow up Akif' after becoming my adversary, or who harbor enmity because their specific demands and expectations were not met. Such statements and personal enmities have strengthened my belief that the process regarding me is being manipulated. In any case, the accusations I face are far beyond mere allegations that are not crimes in the legal sense regarding my private life; they are extremely humiliating and constitute serious attacks on my character, resembling accusations aimed at obtaining benefits through substance and sexuality.
"I USED INCORRECT STATEMENTS DUE TO INTENSE STRESS"
It is clear that such allegations carry a heavy slanderous nature targeting my life and professional reputation. However, while expressing my reaction to these accusations, I may have used statements prone to misunderstanding due to the shock, fatigue, and intense stress I experienced. I am making this statement to clarify the truth and to eliminate any potential misunderstandings that have arisen. My aim is to ensure that the process is understood on the correct basis and to reiterate that I have not made any unjust insinuations towards any authority. I trust the public's common sense and sincerely believe that the process will conclude fairly and transparently.