21.03.2025 15:51
The statement of journalist İsmail Saymaz, who was detained and placed under house arrest in the Gezi Park investigation, has emerged. Saymaz said, "I have no connection with the individuals who are said to have organized the Gezi Park protests. The tape recordings in the file are not related to the Gezi events. I only conducted interviews for the purpose of news reporting within the framework of journalistic activity."
As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was determined that journalist İsmail Saymaz had conversations with individuals involved in the preparation of Osman Kavala's website, who was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment in the Gezi Park case, and those who planned to establish a television channel to disseminate actions through the press.
THEY CAME TO THE COURTHOUSE FOR SUPPORT
Within the scope of the investigation, it was found that Saymaz had intense contact with Gezi Park defendants Mehmet Osman Kavala, Şerafettin Can Atalay, Çiğdem Mater Utku, and Ayşe Mücella Yapıcı during the events, made numerous posts on social media regarding the incidents, and attempted to incite citizens against law enforcement by providing misleading information on social media. In the context of the investigation, Saymaz was detained on charges of "aiding an attempt to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey."
On the other hand, İsmail Saymaz's wife Şeyda Saymaz and Halk TV General Manager Suat Toktaş also came to the courthouse. Journalists Barış Pehlivan, Şule Aydın, Barış Terkoğlu, and Timur Soykan waited at the courthouse to support İsmail Saymaz.
PLACED UNDER HOUSE ARREST
Journalist İsmail Saymaz, who was detained as part of the Gezi Park investigation, was brought to the courthouse after his procedures at the police station. Following his statement, he was referred to the Peace Criminal Court with a request for house arrest, and the court issued a house arrest decision regarding İsmail Saymaz.
HIS STATEMENT HAS EMERGED
Saymaz's statement at the Peace Criminal Court has come to light. It was learned that Saymaz stated in his testimony, "I did not call for any protests against the government or any illegal actions in any way. Among these tweets, I criticized some violent incidents."
"I HAD MEETINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF NEWS REPORTING"
It has been reported that Saymaz used the following sentences in his statement at the Peace Criminal Court: "I have no connection with the individuals who are said to have organized the Gezi Park protests. I have only spoken with Osman Kavala, Can Atalay, and Mücella Yapıcı within the framework of journalism. My meeting with the person named Osman Kavala took place 1.5 years after the Gezi Park protests. The reason for this is my desire to report on the Gezi Park protests; this news was published two days later. I spoke with Can Atalay because he was the lawyer for the pedestrianization project of Taksim. The tape recordings in the file are not related to the Gezi events; these meetings took place 8 months or 1 year after the Gezi Park protests. I was the one who was contacted in these meetings. I was neither involved in organizing nor in spreading the Gezi Park protests. I only had meetings for the purpose of news reporting.
"I HAD BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION WEEKS IN ADVANCE"
My social media posts are news content related to the Gezi Park protests. I did not call for any protests against the government or any illegal actions in any way. Among these tweets, I criticized some violent incidents. I also criticized the tent protests and intense gas attacks carried out by FETÖ-affiliated police officers in my tweets. I had been informed weeks in advance that an investigation was being conducted against me by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. This investigation started on February 14, 2025. Despite knowing this, I went to London, Paris, and Frankfurt and returned. I have no suspicion of fleeing. I have been a permanent resident for many years, and I am a well-known and recognized journalist. I request that the decision to reject the judicial control measure requested against me be made, and that I be released directly."
Journalist Candaş Tolga Işık shared the footage of İsmail Saymaz reuniting with his family.