Investigation launched into journalist Şule Aydın following 'espionage' tip-off: "'Tımarhane' deemed a criminal organization"

An investigation for "espionage and criminal organization activity" has been launched into journalist Şule Aydın following an email tip-off sent to the police by an individual identifying themselves as "Ahmet Türkeş." Aydın's lawyer, Gamze Pamuk, who was present for her statement, protested, asking, "How can a journalist be made a suspect based on a baseless tip-off?"

A significant development has occurred in the investigation launched into journalist Şule Aydın following an email tip-off sent by an unidentified person to the police departments of all 81 provinces. The tip-off leveled serious, evidence-free accusations against Aydın, including "espionage," "spying," "money laundering," and "criminal organization activity." Şule Aydın went to the police station with her lawyer, Gamze Pamuk, to provide a statement as a suspect.

''BARIŞ PEHLİVAN WROTE IN HIS COLUMN: THEY MISTOOK THE TIP-OFF FOR A DOCUMENT''

Journalist Barış Pehlivan, who detailed the scandalous investigation in his column in Cumhuriyet newspaper, wrote about the behind-the-scenes of the process with the following words:

"The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into Şule Aydın in 2025, the year this email was sent. Last April, an instruction letter was forwarded to the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Accordingly, this tip-off was treated as a document, and it was requested that 'Şule Aydın's statement be taken as a suspect regarding whether she made the post subject to the crime in line with the documents.' Shortly after, the prosecutor in Istanbul also issued instructions to the police. The official letter requested Şule's 'defense regarding the alleged crime.'"

''CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION INVESTIGATION INTO THE 'TIMARHANE' SERIES''

The tip-off text alleged that journalist Şule Aydın used provocative language targeting state institutions, members of the judiciary, and the police through her social media accounts and YouTube broadcasts.

Specifically, Aydın's popular YouTube program, the "Tımarhane" (Asylum) series, was targeted, with the request that these broadcasts be evaluated as "criminal organization activity." The informant also demanded that Aydın's accounts be closed immediately and investigated jointly by the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the police.

"CIA, MOSSAD, MI6, YOU NAME IT"

In the section of the text titled "Espionage Activities," absurd allegations were listed one after another. Claiming that Aydın was conducting "psychological warfare activities," the following accusations were made:

"Şule Aydın may be in direct or indirect contact with hostile structures such as the CIA, MOSSAD, MI6, DGSE, BND, PKK, FETÖ, DHKP-C, and similar entities."

Lawyer Gamze Pamuk: "There is no concrete evidence; the goal is to criminalize"

Aydın's lawyer, Gamze Pamuk, emphasized that her client is being deliberately criminalized in the public eye and drew attention to the legal weakness of the situation:

"When the tip-off text is examined, it is seen that extremely serious accusations are made against my client; the names of foreign intelligence services such as the CIA, MOSSAD, and MI6 are specifically listed in an attempt to criminalize my client in the public eye. However, what matters in criminal law is not the severity of the accusatory labels, but whether these allegations are supported by concrete evidence. There is no material evidence, no technical detection, no concrete act constituting a crime, and no causal link. As such, the tip-off in question does not qualify as a report capable of substantiating a suspicion of a crime."

While it is not yet known whether the investigation will turn into a lawsuit, journalist Barış Pehlivan concluded his article with the words: "In this country, practicing journalism meant being prepared to face the imaginary world of an unidentified person at the courthouse every morning."

News Source: 12punto