Denizbank to file criminal complaint against lawyer Rezan Epözdemir

In a statement made by Denizbank, it was noted that Rezan Epözdemir, who participated in a television channel as a guest on a live broadcast, made baseless claims and provided distorted information. The statement further noted that a need for clarification arose due to statements aimed at intentionally damaging the reputation of the institution and its executives, including by mentioning the name of DenizBank General Manager Hakan Ateş.

In the statement, it was clarified that the person mentioned in the WhatsApp correspondence in the expert report submitted to the file during the hearing on January 12, who was stated to have gone skiing in Megeve, France, was not Hakan Ateş. It was reported that the individuals in question were the siblings of Merve Yılmaz, the wife of Tanın Yılmaz, who is the cousin of the detained Seçil Erzan.

The statement, which noted that the detained Seçil Erzan stated that the person mentioned in the correspondence was not DenizBank General Manager Hakan Ateş, included the following remarks:

"Following this, the aforementioned lawyer presented to the court a photograph of a group of people, including our General Manager Hakan Ateş, taken at a different ski resort, claiming that these were the people who went on the holiday mentioned in the conversation.

The truth is that the photograph shown on the live broadcast and in court was taken from magazines that published photos of a family and friend group in front of the Sway Hotels at the Palandöken ski center in Erzurum on January 29-31, 2021, exactly two years before the date of the relevant correspondence."

"AN ACT CONSTITUTING A CRIME"

In the statement, it was noted that news and images regarding the date of Hakan Ateş and his companions' trip to Palandöken were available in newspapers and magazines from that period, adding, "Presenting a photograph taken in 2021 as if it were taken in January 2023 is not only a behavior that disregards ethical rules aimed at manipulating both the court and the public, but it is also an act that constitutes a crime under the Turkish Penal Code."

Stating that a correction (tekzip) had been sent to the television channel in question, the statement included the following assessments:

"Regarding this person, who considers every path to a goal legitimate, who travels around television channels with pieces of paper he knows are irrelevant, and who acts with the aim of gaining popularity and conducting a perception operation through the media by smearing the name of DenizBank, a complaint will be filed with the bar association to which he belongs and a criminal complaint will be lodged with the Public Prosecutor's Office, based on his baseless and reality-distorting statements, as in the previous period, and the expressions that are the subject of the aforementioned correction text."

RESPONSE FROM EPÖZDEMİR

Following Denizbank's statements, Rezan Epözdemir made highly discussed allegations on social media. In his posts, Epözdemir stated the following:

"Denizbank General Manager Hakan Ateş sent me a message through a client of mine who is in the tourism industry, saying that he would finish me and have an investigation opened against me.

He pressured the owners of some media outlets with whom he has credit and commercial relationships and who receive their salaries through the aforementioned bank, to prevent me from appearing on broadcasts and to have news published in favor of Denizbank.

He pressured me to withdraw from the case by asking very important names from the business world whom I cannot refuse. Records, documents, and information regarding these exist.

My clients and those who are knowledgeable about the subject also know all the details. Ultimately, the statement made before tomorrow's hearing, and the censorship and pressure applied to me, have the sole purpose of applying psychological pressure for me to withdraw from the case and to manipulate the public.

Such statements and pressures will have no effect on me, as I have previously acted as counsel for victim families in many cases that have become public knowledge and have encountered such things. Our legal struggle will continue until the end for the completion of the legal process, for all perpetrators responsible for the incident to be held legally accountable, for justice to be served, and for the material truth to emerge.

Regarding this statement and the applications made, I will file a complaint against Denizbank officials for slander pursuant to Article 267 of the Turkish Penal Code and for defamation pursuant to Article 125/1/2/4 of the Turkish Penal Code, and I will apply to the necessary legal channels. I respectfully submit this to the information of the public. Counsel for some of the Complainants, Atty. Dr. Rezan Epözdemir"