31.03.2025 16:20
On March 11, journalist Sinan Burhan, who shared information that Ekrem İmamoğlu would be taken into custody before the holiday, responded to the statements of CHP leader Özgür Özel. Burhan said, "The information I received was a piece of insider information. Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu should be able to participate in the elections and compete. Legal matters and allegations are not an area for me to decide."
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Millet News Agency General Director Sinan Burhan responded to the part where CHP Chairman Özgür Özel mentioned him in his speech in Saraçhane. Özgür Özel stated that Burhan shared information he referred to as "backstage information" during a television program he attended on March 11, and that the information about İmamoğlu's arrest was conveyed to him via message by a deputy chairman of a political party under the umbrella of the People's Alliance. Özel noted in his speech that they knew the person who sent the message and reminded that the information about the arrest being made before the holiday was also shared by Sinan Burhan.
"IT WAS BACKSTAGE INFORMATION THAT REACHED ME"
Regarding the issue, Sinan Burhan made a statement on his social media account, saying, "The information that reached me was backstage information. I stated that this was a claim that needed explanation when I provided the information and expressed my astonishment. As a journalist, it is our duty to convey the information we receive from our news sources to the public."
"İMAMOĞLU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RUN IN THE ELECTION"
Burhan's full statement is as follows: "The Chairman of the Republican People's Party, Mr. Özgür Özel, stated in his recent announcement that I, as a journalist, informed about Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest before this situation. First of all, I would like to state that the information that reached me was backstage information. I stated that this was a claim that needed explanation when I provided the information and expressed my astonishment. As a journalist, it is our duty to convey the information we receive from our news sources to the public.
There may be points where Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu and Mr. Özgür Özel think differently regarding party policies and worldviews. However, I want to express clearly and unequivocally that Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu should be able to run in the elections and compete. This is a requirement of democracy. Legal issues and claims are not an area for me to decide. The allegations of corruption, bribery, and connections to terrorism regarding Mr. İmamoğlu are not my claims, but the claims of the judiciary. Moreover, CHP deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu stated that they expect an arrest regarding Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu and announced that they made a decision for a primary election. This claim is also a topic discussed within CHP circles.
A journalist does not make a statement without trusting their source. Some journalists who see themselves as close to the CHP have not disclosed their sources while making dozens of unsubstantiated news about Mr. Erdoğan, his family, ministers, and the MHP. Many of these news reports have turned out to be false. However, as a journalist, I conveyed backstage information. I do not find it appropriate to engage in polemics with Mr. Özgür Özel. However, our people need to be informed."
WHAT DID ÖZGÜR ÖZEL SAY?
CHP leader Özgür Özel stated in his speech, "On March 11, a message was sent to a journalist named Sinan Burhan saying 'I have a political source,' from a deputy chairman of the People's Alliance, whose name is known to us, stating 'İmamoğlu will be taken into custody before the holiday, he will be arrested,' while reading the message and announcing the arrest to be made on March 19, 8 days in advance. When the source is a deputy chairman of the People's Alliance, there are no appropriate words to say to them for the holiday. The words they deserve will be said when we open our mouths for the holiday, we leave all of them to the legal ground, a process in which we will disgrace them in politics." he stated.
WHAT DID SINAN BURHAN SAY?
Journalist Sinan Burhan stated in the television program he attended, "According to the information I received from my sources, the urban reconciliation made by Mr. İmamoğlu falls under the scope of constitutional crime. Additionally, Mr. İmamoğlu is responsible for the corruption in the Metropolitan and district municipalities. There is a situation regarding the detention of Mr. İmamoğlu." Burhan stated that he did not want to reveal his source, claiming that he based his assertion on information received from a politician, saying that Ekrem İmamoğlu would be taken into custody before the holiday.
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