Journalist Emrullah Erdinç released after detention: First statement issued

Erdinç was brought to theIstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan today. Erdinç, who gave a statement to the prosecutorconducting the investigation,was subsequentlyreleased.

Within the scope of the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, dlast night by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie CommanddetainedEmrullah Erdinçwas transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse thisevening.

Lasting approximately 2 hoursthe prosecutor'sFollowing his statement, Erdinç was released.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM ERDİNÇ AFTER HIS RELEASE

Emrullah Erdinç said the following:

"Hello everyone. It has been a day where my friends were worried for me. But as you all know, we must all bow before justice. And justice requested that I provide information and testimony regarding my friendship with Mehmet Akif Ersoy as part of the Mehmet Akif Ersoy investigation. I came, gave my statement to the prosecutor, and explained what I knew about Mehmet Akif Ersoy. In this context, the prosecutor's office decided to release me without judicial control based on the statements I provided.

Of course, at the end of my statement, I also mentioned this, and I want to share this with you

as well.let me say this: I specifically requested to besubjected to blood and hair tests. Because in the processI experienced today,they did not take meto the ForensicMedicine Institute.TheyI requested that my blood andblood tests be performed.

The prosecutor said this:'We,' he said, 'will alsoevaluate it,' but he added, 'It is nota matter of you finding it appropriate,but rather you requesting it; we need to find itappropriate,' he said. 'Because,' he said, 'Forensic Mstating that it is not a unit where just anyone canobtain a DNA test or blood test results,he said, 'We will take a look,' and 'We will evaluate it,' and thataccordinglythey would make theirdecision.

And afterwards,in a shortAfter a while, the prosecutor announcedthedecision.As I said, without any judicial control; meaning, without any travel ban abroador any requirement to sign in, they decided to release me. And the prosecutor also stated there: 'Thereis no need for a crime or blood test,' he said. 'We already know,' he said, 'what is what in the file'andwe are watching,' he said.

And thus, my statement was completed, and I left thecourthouse. And during thisprocess, as I said,I am ready to give a statement again whenever the judiciary wants, whenever the state wants. To all the friends who were worried about me,and I would like to thankyou.

And one final note: I willcontinue my broadcasts from where I left off."