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Breaking News: Dawn operation against journalists in IMM investigation!

It was announced that journalists Şaban Sevinç, Yavuz Oğhan, Soner Yalçın, Ruşen Çakır, Batuhan Çolak, and Aslı Aydıntaşbaş would provide statements as suspects within the scope of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) investigation. Sevinç and Oğhan were taken from their homes in the morning and brought to the police department. It was learned that Aslı Aydıntaşbaş is abroad. While it was reported that there was no detention order, it was noted that the phones of Sevinç and Oğhan were confiscated. It was stated that the journalists were taken to the police department as part of an investigation into alleged "corruption" within the IMM. It was learned that Yavuz Oğhan and Batuhan Çolak, who were reported to have been released, were taken back to the financial crimes branch. Shortly after this development, Yavuz Oğhan and Ruşen Çakır were released. It was also reported that Soner Yalçın was released.

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It was reported that police teams went to the homes of journalists Şaban Sevinç and Yavuz Oğhan as of 06:00 in the morning. It was noted that both individuals were later taken to the Financial Crimes Branch of the Istanbul Police Department.

PHONES CONFISCATED

It was learned that the phones of Sevinç and Oğhan were confiscated while they were being taken to the police department under police escort.

NO DETENTION ORDER, BUT TAKEN UNDER POLICE ESCORT

It was stated that there was no detention order for the two journalists and that they would only be providing statements. Despite this, it was stated that both individuals were taken to the police department under law enforcement escort.

In the following hours, it was noted that in addition to Sevinç and Oğhan, Soner Yalçın, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Ruşen Çakır, and Batuhan Çolak would also be taken to the police department. It was learned that Aslı Aydıntaşbaş is abroad.

According to the report by the pro-government newspaper Sabah, the journalists in question will provide statements as 'suspects' within the scope of the corruption investigation into the IMM on charges of "Publicly Spreading False Information" and "Knowingly and Willingly Aiding an Organization."

STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

The statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office included the following:

“Within the scope of the investigation being conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the İmamoğlu Profit-Oriented criminal organization, instructions have been given to the Istanbul Police Department to take the statements of suspects Soner YALÇIN, Şaban SEVİNÇ, Aslı AYDINTAŞBAŞ, Ruşen ÇAKIR, Yavuz OĞHAN, and Batuhan ÇOLAK regarding the charges of Publicly Spreading False Information and Aiding a Criminal Organization. The statement-taking procedures will take place at the Police Department.”

'THEY HAVEN'T TAKEN ME YET' HE SAID, HIS NAME APPEARED IN THE PROSECUTOR'S STATEMENT

Journalist Gürkan Hacır, in his post on X regarding the operation, had stated, "Journalists Soner Yalçın, Şaban Sevinç, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Ruşen Çakır, Batuhan Çolak, and Özgür Özel's press advisor Yavuz Oğhan have been taken to the Police Department to provide statements within the scope of the IMM corruption investigation."

 

Responding to Hacır, journalist Ruşen Çakır said, "This must be what fast journalism is like. I'm sorry, but they haven't taken me yet. As far as I know, Aslı is also in the US. I don't think you should delete this; leave it as a legacy for your grandchildren."

Following Çakır's statement, it was seen that Çakır's name was also included in the statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. 

Police teams went to the home of Ruşen Çakır, who was stated to be at his house in the Sapanca district of Sakarya, around noon.

Journalist Ruşen Çakır was brought from Sakarya to Istanbul and was among the journalists taken to the Police Department to provide a statement.

OĞHAN AND ÇOLAK TAKEN BACK TO THE FINANCIAL CRIMES BRANCH

Information had been released that journalists Yavuz Oğhan and Batuhan Çolak were released after providing their statements. However, Çolak and Oğhan were taken back to the financial crimes branch before they could leave the police department.

 

Lawyer Hüseyin Ersöz, who made a statement on the subject, said the following:

"After journalist Yavuz Oğhan's statement was taken by law enforcement, information was given that he would be 'released,' and his confiscated mobile phone was returned. A Release Record had even been prepared for Yavuz Oğhan.

Just as he was about to leave the Police Department, information was given that 'the Prosecutor's Office is re-evaluating,' and Yavuz Oğhan's mobile phone was 're-confiscated.'

While no explanation or notification has been made so far, it looks like a referral to the courthouse will be made.

We are facing a situation that has no legal explanation."

YAVUZ OĞHAN RELEASED AGAIN

Yavuz Oğhan was released again while his lawyer Hüseyin Ersöz was making his statement.

ŞABAN SEVİNÇ ALSO RELEASED

Şaban Sevinç, who was taken to the Police Department to provide a statement, was released around 14:30 after his procedures were completed.

In his first statement, Şaban Sevinç said, "I have been a journalist for 38 years; I have never taken orders from anyone, and no one can pay me off."

YALÇIN RELEASED

Soner Yalçın, who was detained in the morning, has been released.