First statement from prosecutor threatened in his office: 'It will always be in my memory'
Footage of Mustafa Kemal Zengin, who introduced himself as an Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, threatening a prosecutor in his office had sparked a major outcry. The prosecutor in the video broke his silence after the footage of the threat emerged.
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A healthcare gang uncovered at a hospital in Istanbul caused the deaths of healthy babies by placing them in intensive care and generated over 1 billion TL in illicit profit.
The deaths of 12 babies due to negligence are under investigation. An individual named Mustafa Kemal Zengin, who introduced himself as a former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, threatened the prosecutor conducting the investigation in his office. The prosecutor recorded the threat on video to provide evidence.
Breaking his silence after the footage became a major topic in Turkey, the prosecutor stated the following:
"I would like to express my gratitude to our President Mehmet Akif Ekinci, representing the Ministry of Justice and the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK), and our Chief Public Prosecutors of Büyükçekmece, especially our prosecutor Önder who courageously conducted the investigation, our prosecutor Mehmet Emir who contributed, the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, and our citizens regarding the investigation launched into the actions directed at myself and my family. These individuals, who walked into a wolf trap and fell into our laps, are now in the hands of Turkish justice. Those who challenge the 2,400-year-old Turkish state tradition will regret it and will wish they had never met us. Those who supported me and those who did not will always be in my memory."
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
A healthcare gang uncovered at a hospital in Istanbul led to the deaths of babies. In the investigation launched upon a mother's complaint, it was determined that the gang, which included doctors and nurses, caused the deaths of healthy babies by placing them in intensive care. It is alleged that the gang kept babies in intensive care to bill 8,000 TL per day, generating over 1 billion TL in total illicit profit.
According to the report by journalist Emrullah Erdinç, the deaths of 12 babies due to negligence were part of the gang's plans. The gang, which generated income by filling intensive care units, had also involved 112 emergency service personnel in this system. Erdinç stated that instructions were given to turn off the life support devices of some babies. It was noted that audio and video recordings regarding the scandal exist and the investigation is ongoing.
In the investigation, it was revealed that Mustafa Kemal Zengin, who introduced himself as an Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, threatened a prosecutor in his office. The prosecutor proved the situation by recording the threat on video. It was also stated that lawyer A.A., who requested the release of suspects currently in custody as part of the investigation, had made assassination threats against the prosecutor.
The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that 9 people have been detained in connection with the incident and one person is being sought. Among those detained is a gendarmerie officer who allegedly provided the identity information of the threatened prosecutor.