10.04.2025 18:40
The statements given by the detained journalists Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan at the police station have emerged. In his statement, Soykan said, "I believe that the slanders are not limited to Erkan Kork; a gang within the judiciary is making a move to silence and intimidate us journalists." Ağırel, on the other hand, stated, "I only did journalism."
Journalists Timur Soykan and Murat Ağırel were detained in early morning police raids on their homes based on the complaint of Erkan Kork, the owner of Flash TV and Bank Pozitif, who is currently imprisoned due to a money laundering investigation, on charges of "threat" and "blackmail."
After their procedures at the police station, the statements given by the journalists during their time at the police station were revealed.
TIMUR SOYKAN: THERE IS NO THREAT INVOLVED
When asked about Erkan Kork's statements to the prosecutor, Timur Soykan said, "These statements are completely false. We knew that he was being prosecuted for illegal gambling and that his electronic payment company, Payfix, was accused of being used for the transfer of illegal gambling money. The subject of the news was that a person being prosecuted for illegal gambling owned an electronic payment system and a bank. In every part of the world, it is newsworthy for a suspect of illegal gambling to own an e-payment system, a bank, and a TV channel," he stated.
Soykan, who said, "I absolutely supported this news," added, "Murat Ağırel's series of articles is a successful journalistic activity. There has never been a threat regarding Erkan Kork's claim about purchasing Flash TV. There cannot be an accusation of preventing him from buying Flash TV; as far as I know, he had already purchased it at that time. In fact, he had shown a screenshot on his phone during the meeting.
This screenshot contained a news ticker from Flash TV stating that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did not have a diploma. He said, 'I am the owner of the channel; we broadcast all kinds of programs.' The news I did about him was related to his attendance at the wedding of BDDK Vice President Mustafa Aydın; in the videos I recorded at this wedding, I found moments where Erkan Kork presented a gift to Mustafa Aydın, and I reported this," he explained.
"I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THOSE WHO SLANDERED ME"
Timur Soykan stated in his testimony: "The police who called us regarding this matter informed us and said that the prosecutor had summoned us for a statement. Our lawyers went to the prosecutor, and we were told by the prosecutor to come for a statement today at 1:00 PM. I was going to try my luck to give a statement in the morning because I was planning to go to Ankara at noon. However, knowing that we were going to give a statement, I was taken into custody from my home by the prosecutor's order. I believe that the above slanders are not limited to Erkan Kork; a gang within the judiciary is making a move to silence and intimidate us journalists. This is a complete violation of press freedom and freedom of expression. I am considering filing a complaint against those who slandered me and those who have deprived us of our democratic rights."
"I ONLY DID JOURNALISM"
Murat Ağırel, in his statement, said, "I do not know the person named Erkan Kork before the meetings. I do not engage with people like Erkan Kork regarding any financial or investment decisions unless it is for my research activities. Therefore, the acquisition of Flash TV does not hold any significance for me."
Ağırel, who stated, "The subject I researched is the Payfix company and its illegal gambling and illegal gambling financing aspect," noted: "Apart from this, the acquisition of Flash TV, especially by Erkan Kork, has no news value for me. I did not make any news that would be considered defamation regarding this matter. My news, articles, and books are open. There is nothing that can be classified as defamation outside of the subject I am researching and the content of the audio recordings and conversations that have been made regarding this issue.
I did not try to put him under pressure. If I had tried to put him under pressure, I would not have requested a meeting in a public area and allowed him to record audio; rather, I would have insisted on having the meeting in a place I determined and controlled. Timur Soykan has no connection to the matter. He is an independent journalist. He does not take orders from anyone about what to do or not to do. I have no actions that would constitute an accusation against Erkan Kork. I only did journalism.