Ministry of Justice decision regarding Mücahit Birinci

The Ministry of Justice has granted permission for an investigation into lawyer Mücahit Birinci, as part of an ex officio investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation concerns a meeting allegedly held in prison between imprisoned businessman Murat Kapki—who provided testimony three times under the effective repentance law during the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) investigation—and former AKP MKYK member lawyer Mücahit Birinci, a matter brought to the agenda by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Kapki had alleged that Birinci "directed him toward becoming a confessor and demanded 2 million US dollars in exchange for legal fees and his release."

Businessman Murat Kapki, who had previously testified three times under the "effective repentance" provision as part of the IBB investigation and remains imprisoned, provided a new statement following the statements made by CHP leader Özgür Özel, as part of the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into himself and AKP lawyer Mücahit Birinci.

"THIS WAS YOUR CHOICE"

In his statement, Kapki, who filed a complaint against Birinci, alleged that Birinci had previously requested a meeting with him through another person and conveyed that he could secure his release. Kapki stated that he agreed to meet with the expectation of being released, and claimed that Birinci demanded 2 million US dollars from him, stating the following:

"He gave me 1.5 pages of computer-printed text that he brought in two copies and told me to read them. The content of these texts included the points I had written in 4 articles in my petition titled 'My Complaint.' When I read them, I said that I could not slander anyone and stated that the matters mentioned in the text were not true. Afterward, he took back the texts he had brought with him. As he was leaving, I asked him if I would be able to be released. Lawyer Mücahit Birinci said, 'This was your choice,' and left my side."

RESIGNED FROM THE AKP

Following the ex officio investigation, Birinci, who filed complaints against Özel and Kapki, was referred to the disciplinary board with a request for his permanent expulsion from the AKP, but he announced that he had resigned from the party before the disciplinary proceedings began.

Birinci stated, "As a party member who has served at every level of the organization, I respectfully inform the public that I have resigned from my party membership, which I was proud to hold, and from active politics, due to necessity. I will continue to see our esteemed President as a friend of my father, a great leader, and from my perspective, as the Commander of the Faithful," he said.

News Source: 12punto