22.04.2025 15:10
An indictment has been prepared for Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, who was placed under investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of "publicly disseminating misleading information" and was released under judicial control with a travel ban after being detained. A prison sentence of 1 to 3 years has been requested for Kütahyalı.
An investigation was launched against Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı due to his statements claiming that "a trustee will be appointed to the Republican People's Party."
HE WAS DETAINED IN BOLU
Kütahyalı was caught in the Çaydurt area of the TEM Highway as a result of the follow-up conducted by police teams from the Bolu Provincial Police Department while he was driving. After being detained, Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı was transferred to Bolu İzzet Baysal State Hospital Central Unit for health checks following his procedures at the police station.
HE WAS RELEASED WITH JUDICIAL CONTROL
After completing his procedures here, Kütahyalı was brought to the Bolu Courthouse. Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı gave his statement to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office via the SEGBİS system. After his statement procedures, he was released by the Duty Magistrate with judicial control conditions and a travel ban.
HERE IS THE REQUESTED PENALTY
An indictment was prepared for Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, who was detained after an investigation was launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of "publicly disseminating misleading information." A prison sentence of 1 to 3 years was requested for Kütahyalı.
DETAILS OF HIS STATEMENT EMERGED
The details of Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı's statement, who claimed that a trustee would be appointed to the CHP and later shared the allegation that there could be operations against two municipalities, have emerged. Kütahyalı stated that he did not receive any information from a public official while making the post and that he made an inference, expressing that he acted with a "journalistic reflex" and expressed his regret.
Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, who was released under judicial control after an investigation was launched against him by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for "publicly disseminating misleading information," also had his statement revealed.
"WITH THE LUST AND EXCITEMENT OF JOURNALISM"
Kütahyalı, expressing that he is sorry and regretful for the perception created in the public, said, "A few days before I made this post, due to the increasing rumors about the possibility of a trustee being appointed to the CHP, I made the post in question with the lust and excitement created by the journalism profession to which I belong. As I mentioned in my statement, this issue was widely discussed among my journalist and reporter friends, and I made an inference by gathering news about the cancellation of the leaves of law enforcement personnel at the Ankara General Directorate of Security and the transition to a new working system. I did not receive any information from any public official or anyone on duty in public security while making this post. I made this post based entirely on my observations and inferences and the impressions I gained from some of my news sources within the Republican People's Party. I did not initially anticipate that this would create a negative public perception, but immediately after, I made further posts stating that the events I claimed in my post were entirely based on misunderstandings and did not reflect the truth. I expressed my regret in this way," he said.
THE IMPACT OF THE POST ON ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGE
Kütahyalı pointed out that the Istanbul Stock Exchange was closed at the time he made his posts, saying, "My intention in making this post was definitely not to create a negative perception, to instill fear and panic among the public, or to gain any benefit for myself or third parties through financial institutions (stock exchange, gold, foreign currency, etc.). I have never had such an intention. Moreover, there has been no purchase or sale of any shares or funds in my name on the Istanbul Stock Exchange to date, and I am not even knowledgeable about how to do so," he said.
"I POSTED WITHOUT CONFIRMING"
Kütahyalı, stating that there was no increase in his assets, noted that if deemed necessary, his account movements could also be examined, saying, "I made the post in question based on the reflex created by the journalism profession, thinking that it was an event that would determine the agenda, without confirming it and based on inference. Moreover, I should add that this unfortunate event has deeply saddened me, and therefore, I plan to refrain from doing anything related to journalism for at least a long time and only engage in commentary and writing. There is a very short time difference between my realization that the issues I claimed in the post were misleading to the public and my making correction posts regarding this matter," he said.
"I AM SORRY AND REGRETFUL"
When asked about a post in which he stated that a security bureaucrat had called him and said there would be an operation against two municipalities, Kütahyalı noted: "In this post, again due to my membership in the journalism profession, I acted without thinking because of the excitement and the success of being the 'first to break the news.' During a phone conversation I had with a former official from the Republican People's Party, whose name I cannot disclose due to my profession, there was a retired security bureaucrat present. During this conversation, there were clear statements regarding the possibility of an investigation into bribery and corruption allegations concerning the Etimesgut and Keçiören Municipalities. Nevertheless, in my post, despite having obtained reliable information, I used cautious language, stating 'it seems that an operation is coming to Keçiören and Etimesgut tomorrow,' without expressing a definitive opinion due to its relation to a judicial activity. I am sorry and regretful for causing distrust in the judiciary due to this post.
"YILMAZ TUNÇ IS RIGHT NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS"
After a while, upon learning that the information I had received regarding this post was not accurate, I made additional posts of a corrective nature and stated that the information I had was incorrect and that no operation would be conducted against the relevant municipalities. In fact, in addition to all this, I quoted the statement made by the Minister of Justice based on my posts, which contained an opinion against me, saying, 'Minister of Justice Yılmaz TUNÇ is completely right. My assumptions are completely wrong. Yılmaz Tunç is right no matter what he says.' As a journalist, I do not want to disclose the information of the former CHP official and the retired bureaucrat present during my second post. To summarize my statement as a whole, as soon as I realized that there were some problematic issues in the posts I made, I made the necessary corrections again through my social media account. I feel deep sadness and regret regarding this matter.
I have not gained any unfair advantage in the stock market or similar financial institutions, nor have I suggested, advised, or directed any person or persons for the purpose of obtaining such an advantage. The evaluation of my actions causing this has also saddened me; additionally, I am the father of 11-year-old twin daughters. Just as I am very fond of them, they are also very fond of me. For this reason, I request that no protective measures be applied that could restrict my freedom.