Özlem Gürses, who drew reactions with her comparison to the Turkish Armed Forces, defended herself to the prosecutor by saying, "My grandfather's grandfather is a martyr."

Journalist Özlem Gürses, who was detained as part of an investigation initiated for comparing the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) to the terrorist organization ISIS, has been placed under house arrest. Gürses, who is undergoing proceedings at the court where she was referred with a request for her arrest, stated in her testimony at the prosecutor's office that she was shocked by being detained on charges related to terrorism.

"MY GRANDFATHER'S GRANDFATHER IS A MARTYR OF ÇANAKKALE"

Gürses said, "My grandfather's grandfather is a martyr of Çanakkale. My own grandfather is an air force colonel. I grew up in a family culture that loves its state and country, is republican, and is Atatürkist." Gürses, who stated that she broadcasts news on her own YouTube channel every day between 17:00 and 18:00, claimed that a roughly 8-second segment from that broadcast was selected and a lynch campaign was initiated against her on social media.

I AM VERY SORRY FOR THE MISUNDERSTANDING

In her statement, Gürses noted that it is impossible to associate the TSK and Mehmetçik with a terrorist organization, emphasizing that she would not even think of such a thing. She argued that when the entire broadcast is watched, it will become clear that what she actually wanted to convey is unrelated to the accusations against her. Gürses continued her statement as follows:

"On the contrary, it expresses that the northern corridor in Syria was taken from ISIS control by the TSK and the Syrian National Army (SMO) and cleaned from the terrorist organization ISIS. While using these sentences in the broadcast, I also tried to show it on the map. While doing this, the things I wanted to convey may have been left hanging, or there may have been a misunderstanding while trying to connect two sentences. I may have misspoken or inadequately connected the sentences. I absolutely do not want to and did not want to portray the TSK as if it were connected to a terrorist organization. I do not accept the accusations against me. I am very sorry for the misunderstanding."

HOUSE ARREST DECISION MADE

As part of the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Gürses, who was detained, has completed her procedures at the Istanbul Police Department. After undergoing a health check, Gürses was referred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. After her statement was taken by the Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau, Gürses was referred to the duty magistrate court with a request for her arrest. In the referral letter from the prosecutor's office, it was noted that Gürses made comparisons of the TSK to a terrorist organization with her statements. The letter stated that due to the relevant legal article, permission from the Ministry of Justice is required, and it was expressed that the Ministry granted permission for the investigation, requesting Gürses' arrest for the crime of "publicly degrading the military or security organization of the state." The court decided to impose judicial control measures on suspect Gürses, including "prohibition from leaving her residence" and "prohibition from leaving the country."