28.08.2026 18:00
It was determined that a high amount of money was demanded from journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy in prison, with the promise that they could secure his release and an acquittal verdict in his case. After Ersoy reported the situation to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office through his lawyer, during the technical surveillance initiated, the conversations with the suspects were recorded with audio and video. Upon detecting that the offer was repeated during the meeting, 4 people, including lawyer Erel Muallaoğlu, were caught red-handed and detained.
A striking incident was uncovered during an investigation conducted by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the crime of bribery. It was determined that journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who was detained within the scope of another investigation file, was visited by Attorney Erel Muallaoğlu at the penal execution institution on August 20, 2026.
In the aforementioned meeting, it was established that Muallaoğlu stated he could secure Ersoy's release and, in return, demanded a large sum of money. Subsequently, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, through his lawyer, applied to the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office as a complainant.
FIRST PHONE CONTACT BETWEEN THE COMPLAINANT'S REPRESENTATIVE AND THE FRAUDSTERS RECORDED IN THE PROSECUTOR'S ROOM Following the application, the investigating prosecutor's office took action. The phone number that Muallaoğlu had left for communication purposes during the prison meeting was called from the public prosecutor's office with the consent and knowledge of the complainant's representative.
The audio and video recording of the conversation, attended by the investigating prosecutor, the court clerk, and the assigned law enforcement personnel, was taken and included in the investigation file.
In the continuation of the investigation, it was determined that a total of three phone conversations were held between the complainant's lawyer and the suspect Erel Muallaoğlu.
MEETING ARRANGED TO RECORD THE MONEY DEMAND In the conversations, it was determined that Muallaoğlu acted as an intermediary to bring together the person or persons who claimed they could secure Mehmet Akif Ersoy's release and Ersoy's representative.
In this context, a meeting was planned between the parties. The prosecutor's office gave the necessary instructions for the implementation of the protective measures regulated in Articles 135 to 140 of the CMK (Turkish Criminal Procedure Code) in order to uncover the suspects and obtain evidence.
Mehmet Akif Ersoy A technical device capable of audio and video recording was placed on the complainant's representative lawyer within the framework of the necessary procedures and permissions.
TECHNICALLY SURVEILLED OPERATION FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE Erel Muallaoğlu, along with Yavuz Küçükyeşil, Erkan Uzun, and Hacı Eşiyok, attended the meeting held on August 28, 2026. The conversation was monitored using technical methods from beginning to end.
During the technical surveillance, it was learned that a large sum of money was demanded in exchange for securing Mehmet Akif Ersoy's release from prison and obtaining an acquittal in the case he was facing. After the meeting concluded, the button was pressed for the operation.
4 SUSPECTS CAUGHT RED-HANDED Erel Muallaoğlu, Yavuz Küçükyeşil, Erkan Uzun, and Hacı Eşiyok were apprehended and taken into custody immediately after the meeting. It was learned that the suspects' phones, other digital materials, and connections were being examined within the scope of the investigation.
According to information obtained from sources at the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it is being considered that the suspects used a fraudulent method, promising individuals in prison that they could secure their release and acquittal, and demanding money in return.
CLOSE SURVEILLANCE ON THOSE DEMANDING MONEY WITH THE PROMISE OF RELEASE Investigative authorities stated that actions targeting individuals who reach prisons and demand money from detainees or convicts by promising to 'secure release,' 'close the file,' or 'obtain an acquittal decision' are also being scrutinized.
The investigation conducted by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues in a multi-faceted manner to determine the connections of the 4 suspects taken into custody, the background of the money demand, and whether other individuals have been victimized through similar methods.