Merdan Yanardağ responds to 'espionage' investigation: 'I never received money from Hüseyin Gün'

TELE1 Television Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ gave a statement to the prosecutor's office as part of the "espionage" investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. In his statement, he denied the allegations that the whistleblower Hüseyin Gün had given him money. Yanardağ said, “I have never received money from Hüseyin Gün under any name to this day. Either I am remembering it wrong, or he is remembering it wrong.”

“MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIM IS THAT OF AN ORDINARY VIEWER”

Clarifying the allegations that Gün gave him instructions regarding topics to be discussed on the program, Yanardağ stated, “Although our WhatsApp conversations with him have been turned into an accusation in the investigation file as if I were receiving instructions from him, my correspondence with him is ordinary correspondence with a normal viewer.” Yanardağ noted that such correspondence is similar to viewer comments and suggestions frequently made to him.

CONFIRMED FINANCIAL AID RECEIVED FROM SEHER ALAÇAM

Yanardağ confirmed the allegations mentioned in Hüseyin Gün's testimony regarding receiving financial aid from Seher Alaçam. Yanardağ said, “It is true that while Seher Hanım was alive, she provided financial aid by hand to the Tele1 channel for institutional support purposes. These aids are in small amounts and are accounted for and recorded. There is no abnormal situation.”

CLARIFIED THE CONTENT OF HIS MEETINGS WITH GÜN

Stating that his meetings with Hüseyin Gün were generally about the political agenda, Yanardağ said, “I had visited Seher Hanım's house in Yeniköy a few times. In these meetings, we usually talked about the 2023 elections. I did not know that Hüseyin was Seher Hanım's spiritual son; I knew him to be her biological son.”

“I AM A LEFT-WING AND PATRIOTIC JOURNALIST”

Finally, denying the accusations directed at him, Yanardağ said, “I am a left-wing and patriotic journalist. It is unthinkable for me to be involved in any activity against my country or our people. This would be the ugliest accusation that could be directed at me.” Stating that there are attempts to smear his professional life as a socialist and patriotic journalist, Yanardağ stated that he is facing an unfair accusation and requested his release.

IT WAS STATED THAT HÜSEYIN GÜN IS A WHISTLEBLOWER

Hüseyin Gün, who became a whistleblower as part of the investigation, had drawn attention with the phrase "Ekrem İmamoğlu criminal organization." Yanardağ made statements regarding Gün, emphasizing that his meetings with him were ordinary conversations about politics.

News Source: 12punto