BREAKING NEWS... İsmail Saymaz referred to the courthouse!

Journalist İsmail Saymaz was referred to the courthouse this morning as part of the investigation into the Gezi Park events. After being detained and undergoing a medical check-up, Saymaz was brought to the Istanbul Courthouse.

WHAT ACCUSATIONS WERE MADE?

According to the investigation file, the following allegations are made against Saymaz:

That he was in intense contact with the defendants who participated in the Gezi Park protests,

That he played an active role during the protests,

It is alleged that he attempted to incite citizens against law enforcement by providing false information through his social media posts.

Saymaz provided the following response to the accusations directed at him by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office through his lawyer, Aslı Kazan:

-I have had no meetings with Osman Kavala other than for journalistic purposes. I have neither knowledge of nor have I had any meetings regarding the alleged attempt by Kavala to establish an internet site and a television station.

-I knew Can Atalay both before and after the Gezi Park events as the lawyer for all cases related to social developments. Our frequency of meetings stems from this.

-I know and am acquainted with Çiğdem Mater both from our social circle and because her husband and mother are my colleagues. I called Mücella Yapıcı as a news source and we met.

-I followed the Gezi events as a reporter starting from June 1st. I reported the events and developments impartially and objectively.

-I did not make any posts that could be interpreted as an invitation to the streets or provocation.

-I avoided anti-democratic approaches toward the political power and an aggressive tone toward Erdoğan and his family. I played no role in the organization, nationwide spread, or continuation of the Gezi Park protests.

-During these protests, I only wrote about human rights violations, primarily the murder of Ali İsmail Korkmaz.

-This journalistic effort of mine has been awarded by both national and international press organizations.

-For 12 years, I have not been accused or held responsible for the Gezi Park protests even once.

-Since no other crime could be attributed to me, they want to throw me into the Gezi Park file. My journalistic efforts are being hindered in this way, and I am clearly being silenced.

-I have not let down any citizen who trusted and believed in me. It has become clear how much the character assassinations that have been going on for weeks were aimed at smearing me.

-I am innocent and guiltless. I am holding my wife, my son, and my family tightly, and I send my greetings to everyone.

SAYMAZ IS EXPECTED TO BE REFERRED TO THE COURTHOUSE

The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and board members with the demand for the termination of their duties and the election of a new administration will begin at the 27th High Criminal Court.

Bar Association Presidents and lawyers are waiting to enter the courtroom.

Journalists at the Çağlayan Courthouse are waiting for their colleague İsmail Saymaz to be brought to the prosecutor's office.

THIS NEWS WILL BE UPDATED INSTANTLY AS NEW DETAILS EMERGE FROM THE COURTHOUSE...