Statement from Ayşenur Arslan following investigation
Journalist Ayşenur Arslan, who had an investigation launched against her by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and whose program on Halk TV was cancelled due to her remarks regarding the terrorist attack in Ankara, has issued a statement. Stating that she was misunderstood, Arslan said, I believe it is a great injustice that my name is being associated with terrorism and terrorists, and I am very saddened by this.
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Journalist Ayşenur Arslan's remarks regarding the terrorist attack in Ankara, made during the Medya Mahallesi program she produces and hosts on Halk TV, have caused significant public backlash. RTÜK has launched an investigation into Halk TV.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED, PROGRAM CANCELLED
Regarding the terrorist attack in question, Ayşenur Arslan stated on the program, "That person, the terrorist, who is said to have blown himself up, perhaps did not know that the explosives on him or in the car were remote-controlled. Because; it is so meaningless... Coming and doing nothing, doing nothing... One does not die without doing anything. If you ask me, it is contradictory. He blew himself up for no reason." While the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into Arslan, Halk TV also decided to end the Medya Mahallesi program.
Journalist İsmail Küçükkaya shared the message that Ayşenur Arslan sent to them regarding the matter on his “Yeni Bir Sabah” program on Halk TV.
According to what Küçükkaya conveyed, Ayşenur Arslan stated the following:
"I am very saddened, I was misunderstood, I am sad because I was misunderstood; it is known that I am against terrorism to the end and that I have always been against terrorism throughout my professional life. I believe it is a great injustice that my name is being associated with terrorism and terrorists, and I am very saddened by this. What I did was merely repeating the question marks on the agenda regarding the terrorist act. No one who knows me would think that I would support terrorism and terrorists. All the journalists who know me and have worked with me are witnesses that I have not taken a step back against terrorism throughout my professional life."