Süleyman Soylu speaks out following Mehmet Akif Ersoy allegations

Journalist Barış Terkoğlu revealed the whistleblower testimony that led to the arrest of Mehmet Akif Ersoy during his program on Onlar TV. As part of a major drug investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, detention warrants were issued for 8 suspects, including Mehmet Akif Ersoy. The court ordered the arrest of 4 suspects, including Ersoy, while judicial control measures were applied to the other 4.

However, one of the most striking allegations raised during the investigation process concerns claims that Mehmet Akif Ersoy would make video calls to then-Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu in the middle of the night to "show off to girls." The whistleblower brought up the close relationship Ersoy allegedly had with Soylu, stating, "Mehmet Akif called Süleyman Soylu via video call many times; he was doing this to show off to girls."

STATEMENT FROM SÜLEYMAN SOYLU

Süleyman Soylu's response to these allegations was swift. In a statement regarding the matter, Soylu said the following:

Süleyman Soylu responded to the emerging allegations. Here are Soylu's statements: 

To this day, I have been subjected to hundreds of slanders and thousands of fabrications.

You have found nothing, and you will not find anything.

Because there is nothing.

My sorrow is this:

The fact that this call from Mehmet Akif Ersoy—who called me via video at 12:22 PM on November 22 while I was with my fellow citizens at the Trabzon Book Fair, when my name was mentioned—is being presented with the statement of an obscure person claiming he 'called via video to show off to those around him' is yet another smear campaign and exploitation I am being subjected to through my name.

I am saddened.

Because this is neither the first nor the last time I have encountered such insensitivity toward people who serve their state and nation without ulterior motives.

Regarding me;

Headlines such as 'writing a book in cooperation with FETÖ's media imam',

and 'one of those people used and protected in every era,' or claiming like someone who found treasure that 'he would call Soylu while partying,' are dishonorable and disgraceful.

In my life, no one has ever had the audacity to call me in such a frivolous, such an unchaste environment; they cannot.

God is the one who knows, sees, and hears everything.

And He is the best of those who render the traps of the plotters ineffective.