02.03.2025 16:20
Following the "Ramadan greeting" crisis at Zorlu Holding, former CEO Cem Köksal, who was taken into custody, was released today, and the famous businessman's statement to the prosecutor has also emerged. It was learned that Köksal said, "My email was intended as a criticism towards Mr. Ergün, but I accidentally pressed the 'reply all' button, which is why this email was sent to all our employees."
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is conducting an investigation against Köksal for the crime of "preventing the exercise of freedom of belief, thought, and opinion." Köksal, who was detained as part of the investigation, has completed his procedures at the police station. After a health check, Köksal was brought to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan.
RELEASED UNDER JUDICIAL CONTROL CONDITIONS
Köksal, whose statement was taken by the prosecutor's office here, was referred to the on-duty magistrate court with a request for judicial control. The court decided to release Köksal under the condition of a travel ban.
CEM KÖKSAL'S STATEMENT REVEALED
Meanwhile, Cem Köksal's statement at the prosecutor's office has also emerged. Köksal stated: "I have been serving as the CEO of Zorlu Holding for 7 months. I have approximately 28 years of experience. The email in question is one that I wrote to Ergün Güler, who is one of my senior executives. I had prepared that email to send directly to Mr. Ergün, but mistakenly, I replied to all users instead of sending it directly to Mr. Ergün, which resulted in all our employees receiving that email. My intention with that email was solely for it to be addressed to Mr. Ergün. I requested the retraction of the email sent to Mr. Ergün and others, but by the time I made that request, many of our colleagues had already received the email. My message was intended as a criticism directed at Mr. Ergün."
STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
In a statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding Köksal, it was stated, "An investigation has been initiated ex officio by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of 'preventing the exercise of freedom of belief, thought, and opinion' related to the incident of Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal sending an email to all employees regarding the non-celebration of the Ramadan month, which was reflected in some social and visual media publications today." Köksal was detained yesterday under the instruction of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
HE HAD RESIGNED FROM HIS POSITION
In a statement made by the Board of Directors of Zorlu Holding, it was noted that Cem Köksal had resigned from his position as the top executive of the holding as of yesterday.