Halit Ergenç and Rıza Kocaoğlu testify once again

Famous actors Halit Ergenç and Rıza Kocaoğlu have testified as part of an investigation into "perjury" charges, stemming from statements they previously provided regarding talent manager Ayşe Barım, the owner of ID İletişim, who was arrested on allegations of being an organizer of the Gezi Park protests.

In the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was alleged that Ergenç and Kocaoğlu provided false statements in their previous testimonies as "witnesses" regarding Barım. Consequently, the famous actors were summoned to testify as "suspects."

Ergenç and Kocaoğlu, who testified once again, were questioned about Gezi Park photographs, their relationships with Mehmet Ali Alabora, and a "declaration" dialogue that allegedly took place between Alabora and Barım.

According to a post by journalist Ceylan Sever, Halit Ergenç stated the following in his testimony:

"I began my education at the Mimar Sinan University Opera Department in 1989. There were two major well-known conservatories in Istanbul. One of them is Istanbul University, and the other is the Mimar Sinan University conservatory. Students know each other as 'rival' conservatories. One of them is in Beşiktaş, and the other is in Kadıköy. I know Mehmet Ali Alabora because he studied at the 'rival' conservatory. I do not know the dates he was there. Mehmet Ali Alabora and I never had a close friendship, or, so to speak, a friendship or acquaintance during or after our time at the conservatory. I wanted to mention how I knew him up to this point.

"WE NEVER HAD A PLANNED MEETING"

I know that Mehmet Ali Alabora was the President of the Actors' Union. Many artists are members there. The union was established to protect the rights of artists regarding regulations, statutes, and similar matters. I know that I went to the union once or twice regarding this, although I do not remember the exact date. During this period, the President of the Actors' Union was Mehmet Ali Alabora. We would also occasionally encounter each other at work-related galas or meetings. However, we never had a planned meeting. I lived in England during the 2021 and 2024 periods. Even there, I did not have any meetings with him at any time. In short, I have not seen Mehmet Ali Alabora since Gezi Park, and I have had no contact with him in any way, not even by phone. I used a different phone number during the Gezi Park period. If those number records are examined, perhaps I may have had contact with him. The reason for this was entirely because he was the union president. We never had any detailed family meetings.

"I REMEMBER BEING PHOTOGRAPHED BY SOMEONE I DO NOT RECALL"

The reason I am in the same photograph with Mehmet Ali Alabora is that, as far as I remember, while we were in the park in Cihangir that day, news arrived that Gezi Park was being opened to the public, and we started walking toward Gezi Park together with all the actors affiliated with the Actors' Union. Many people who are not actors are also present with us, as can be seen in the photograph. As seen in the photo, there is a large crowd in front of us. I do not know the individuals standing on either side of me in the photo, one woman and one man. Mehmet Ali Alabora was there because he was the President of the Actors' Union. That is why such a photograph emerged there. As far as I remember, I recall being photographed from the back toward the front by someone I do not remember.

"I CONSENT TO THE EXAMINATION OF MY PHONE RECORDS"

I do not remember receiving any news of a declaration from the Artists' Union at that time. I have never had any information that Mehmet Ali Alabora was a main actor in Gezi Park during those times. I know him as an artist and the President of the Actors' Union. I consent to the examination of my phone calls from that period and the present. Any phone calls that likely occurred during that period were solely due to his position as union president and for work purposes.

"I DO NOT ACCEPT THE CHARGES AGAINST ME"

My reason for going to Gezi Park was entirely for environmentalism and to prevent the trees from being cut down. When some groups whose purpose was not environmentalism, but whose nature was also unclear, began to arrive, we became uncomfortable. Because the situation was deteriorating, in order to reach a compromise, we left the set and, as a group of artists, met with Kadir Topbaş, the Governor of the time Avni Mutlu, and the Prime Minister of the time, and we never went to Gezi Park again. My statement is limited to these points. I do not accept the charges against me."

"I HAD NO MEETINGS WITH MEHMET ALİ ALABORA"

Rıza Kocaoğlu also explained in his testimony that he knew Mehmet Ali Alabora because he was the President of the Actors' Union, stating, "I do not have Mehmet Ali Alabora's number, and I do not recall us having any contact." Kocaoğlu was also asked about that famous Gezi Park photograph. Kocaoğlu replied as follows:

"I am the person in the crowd in this photo; I am behind Halit Ergenç. I remember Mehmet Ali Alabora as the President of the Actors' Union at that time. I am also a member of this union. I became a member of the union because of our copyrights, etc., but I had no meetings with Mehmet Ali Alabora within the scope of the union. I lived on Cihangir Street, very close to Gezi Park. When I went to Gezi Park at that time, I saw my artist friends. I went to them, and we were all there together. The reason I am in the photo you showed me, which includes Mehmet Ali Alabora, Halit Ergenç, and many other actors, is because I was with my artist friends. My presence there has nothing to do with Mehmet Ali Alabora. As far as I remember, the photo you showed was taken while we were walking toward the park after news arrived that Gezi Park was being opened to the public by the state. I did not receive any declaration from the Actors' Union at that time."