Statement from Mübariz Mansimov regarding Ekol TV

Businessman Mübariz Mansimov has issued a statement regarding the "money laundering" investigation into Ekol TV, which shut down in recent weeks. Mansimov said, "I have no connection whatsoever to the aforementioned television channel. I condemn in the strongest possible terms these allegations, which have been put forward to damage my reputation."

Sharing on his social media account, Mansimov noted the following:

"To the attention of the public; reports appearing in some print and visual media regarding the television channel named Ekol TV and myself do not reflect the truth. I have no connection whatsoever to the aforementioned television channel. Such slanderous claims and reports have been made in the past as well. I condemn in the strongest possible terms these allegations, which have been put forward to damage my reputation. I respectfully submit this to the public's information."

WHAT HAPPENED?

The "money laundering" investigation into Ekol TV, which decided to shut down, has been expanded. The Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office transferred the investigation it launched into Ekol TV over "money laundering" allegations to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. It was stated that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office took over the investigation after the channel was shut down and the company headquarters was moved to Kağıthane.

The investigation, which was launched following the statements of a secret witness and incoming tips, is being conducted on the allegation that the channel was financed through illegal betting and money laundering traffic.

In the investigation, 12 people are listed as suspects, including businessman Mübariz Mansimov, who was named as the owner of the channel, Veysel Şahin, lawyer Prof. Dr. Ersan Şen, Ekol TV Editor-in-Chief Emrah Doğru, and former General Commander of the Gendarmerie and Board Member Arif Çetin.