17.07.2026 16:51
Journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who was arrested as part of a drug investigation and faces a prison sentence of 11 years and 3 months to 286 years and 2 months, will appear before a judge on September 10.
An indictment has been prepared regarding journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy and 7 suspects arrested in the 'Drug' investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
UP TO 286 YEARS IN PRISON SOUGHT
In the indictment, it was requested that Mehmet Akif Ersoy be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 11 years and 3 months to 286 years and 2 months for the crimes of 'Establishing and managing a criminal organization', 11 counts of 'aggravated sexual assault', 'Engaging in or supplying drug or stimulant substance trade', and 'Facilitating the use of drugs or stimulant substances'.
FIRST HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 10
The indictment was accepted by the Istanbul 19th Heavy Penal Court. Ersoy's lawyer requested that the hearing be closed to the press. The first hearing of the case will be held on September 10.
DETAILS FROM THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment, Burcu Akyüz, Dilek Olgun, Melis Asena Özkan, Reyhan Köse, Buse Öztay, Ebru Gülan, Ece Topgül, Elif Kılınç, Gizem Ayabaktı, Meltem Acet, and Şevkiye Dilara Yıldız were listed as 'victims', while Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Ahmet Göçmez, Mustafa Manaz, Nurullah Mahmut Dündar, Taner Çağlı, Tolga Aykut, and Ufuk Tetik were listed as 'suspects'.
The indictment states that a tip received by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command on November 2, 2025, included information that 'HaberTürk Television Editor-in-Chief Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Ela Rümeysa Cebeci, and Merve S, a former employee of the channel, used drugs and stimulants, that Ersoy organized entertainment-style events and supplied drugs and stimulants in this environment, and that he made the women around him use drugs and stimulants, weakening their will, and had sexual intercourse with these women together with multiple individuals.'
Following this tip, investigation procedures were initiated against the criminal organization. The indictment notes that in the investigation conducted based on the tips received by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, the acts were committed within the scope of an organization, and this organization consisted of the defendant Mehmet Akif Ersoy as the ringleader and certain members mentioned in the statement.
The indictment explains that the criminal organization frequently used the effects of cocaine, one of the drugs, on both female victims and organization members. It states that the organization ringleader Ersoy frequently supplied drugs, organized parties with organization members he knew from his friends and work circles, and used organization members and victims to satisfy his sexual desires during these parties.
ORGANIZATION CHART
Emphasizing the importance of tip contents, statements taken, and findings made during the investigation phase in revealing the formation and structure of the criminal organization, the indictment states, 'In the organization chart of the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, it was determined that Mehmet Akif Ersoy was the organization leader, and Ahmet Göçmez, Mustafa Manaz, Nurullah Mahmut Dündar, Taner Çağlı, Tolga Aykut, and Ufuk Tetik were organization members.'
The indictment states that Ersoy established a criminal organization with defendants he knew from his friends and work circles. In this context, it notes that cocaine was supplied to victims, and they came together to satisfy the organization ringleader's sexual desires.
Since Ersoy was thought to be connected to influential people due to his sector and position, it is stated that the other defendants obeyed Ersoy because of his status. Therefore, Ersoy controlled and organized the other defendants, and the organization members introduced women they had emotional relationships with to Ersoy, facilitated relationships through various methods, and made these individuals victims of the crime.
The indictment states that some of the organization member defendants were understood to have gained benefits by participating in television programs due to the ringleader's position and sector.
Noting that the defendants systematically carried out their acts, the indictment indicates that statements showed they planned to make victims use drugs before engaging in multiple sexual intercourse.
h3>PENALTY REQUESTS
In the indictment, it is requested that Mehmet Akif Ersoy be sentenced to 11 to 27.5 years in prison for the crimes of 'establishing an organization for committing crimes' and 'facilitating the use of drugs or stimulant substances', and no less than 266 years in prison for '11 counts of aggravated sexual assault in a chain manner' and 'engaging in or supplying drug or stimulant substance trade in a chain manner'.
Defendant Ahmet Göçmez is requested to be sentenced to no less than 100 years in prison for 'manufacturing and trading drugs or stimulant substances' and 5 counts of 'aggravated sexual assault', and 7 to 15 years in prison for 'being a member of an organization established for committing crimes' and 'facilitating the use of drugs or stimulant substances'.
In the indictment, defendants Nurullah Mahmut Dündar, Mustafa Manaz, Taner Çağlı, and Tolga Aykut are expected to be sentenced to 7 to 15 years and no less than 51 years in prison at varying rates for the crimes of 'manufacturing and trading drugs or stimulant substances', 'aggravated sexual assault', 'being a member of an organization established for committing crimes', and 'facilitating the use of drugs or stimulant substances', while defendant Ufuk Tetik is expected to be sentenced to 2 to 5 years in prison for 'being a member of an organization established for committing crimes'.
The prepared indictment also includes information that, within the scope of the investigation, a separation decision was made regarding suspects Veyis Ateş, Ali Yaşar Koz, Umut Evirgen, Emrullah Erdinç, Steven Sadettin Saran, Hasan Dereci, Şakir Tekin, Yusuf Timur Savcı, Burcu Akyüz, and Ela Rümeysa Cebeci for the crimes of 'drug trafficking' and 'facilitating drug use or providing space', and separate investigations are being conducted regarding them.