He had sent an email about Ramadan: Investigation launched into Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that an investigation has been launched into Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal on the grounds that he sent an email to company employees instructing them not to celebrate the month of Ramadan. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the investigation was opened on suspicion of 'preventing the exercise of freedom of belief, thought, and opinion'.

The statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office included the following:

''An ex officio investigation has been launched by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of 'preventing the exercise of freedom of belief, thought, and opinion (Turkish Penal Code Art. 115)' regarding the incident where an individual named Cem Köksal, CEO of Zorlu Holding, sent an email to all his employees regarding not celebrating the month of Ramadan, which was reflected in some social and visual media outlets today.''

(The email Köksal sent to Güler)

CEM KÖKSAL'S MESSAGE

Following Vestel CEO Ergün Güler's message to employees regarding the arrival of the month of Ramadan, Köksal sent an email to Güler informing him that there was no such celebration in the company's calendar. Köksal warned Güler, whom he said he had argued with on a similar issue before, not to bring up the same subject again.

According to a social media post by journalist İbrahim Haskoloğlu, the email addressed to Güler that led to the investigation into Cem Köksal stated the following:

''The month of Ramadan is not on our list of days to be celebrated corporately. Among religious days, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are included. It is not appropriate for us to celebrate religious days other than these. There has been no Ramadan celebration in the 70-year history of this group.

As a company, we have a stance independent of religion.

While trying to be a multinational company, we expect to have employees from every religion and nation. Therefore, I do not find it appropriate at all for us to hold such a celebration corporately.

I had warned you before about a similar issue. Please let there be no repetition of this in any way. I request that you take this warning of mine seriously.''

(Güler's Ramadan celebration message sent to employees)

WHAT HAPPENED?

Tension arose between Güler and Köksal due to a message regarding the month of Ramadan. The Ramadan greeting message that Güler sent to company employees was criticized by Köksal for being contrary to corporate policies.

Güler sent a message to company employees for the start of the month of Ramadan. In his message, Güler congratulated them on the month of Ramadan and wished the employees health, peace, and abundance. This message was delivered to all employees through internal company communication channels.

However, this message from Güler was met with disapproval by Köksal. In response to Güler's message, Köksal emphasized that the company does not hold celebrations regarding the arrival of the month of Ramadan. This response from Köksal was shared on a platform accessible to company employees as well.