Perception operation via AA in IMM operations: 'Presumption of innocence has been disregarded'

In the 5th wave of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the IMM, detention warrants were issued for 47 people, including CHP mayors.

This 5th wave of the operation began after Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who is alleged to be the leader of the criminal organization and was cited as the basis for the Beşiktaş Municipality investigation, sought to benefit from effective remorse within the scope of the investigation launched into the criminal organization in Istanbul in recent months.

38 people detained as part of 4 separate investigations have been referred to the courthouse. Footage of mayors elected by the public being taken to the courthouse was broadcast by Anadolu Agency, despite there being no convictions against them.

"PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE HAS BEEN DISREGARDED"

The footage shared by AA drew backlash. 12punto columnist Tuncay Mollaveisoğlu expressed his reaction in a post on his X account, stating: "Footage regarding the detentions made in the operation against CHP municipalities has been broadcast. I am not including the footage here. Because the aim is to assassinate the reputations of these individuals. The presumption of innocence of people who are being taken with police on both arms as if they were hardened criminals has been disregarded. There is no conviction against them, but the message given with the footage is also contrary to human rights."

CHP’li belediyelere yönelik operasyonda yapılan gözaltılarla ilgili görüntüler servis edildi. Ben burada görüntülere yer vermiyorum. Çünkü amaçlanan bu kişilere itibar suikastı yapmaktır. İki kollarında polisle azılı suçlularmış gibi götürülen insanların masumiyet karineleri hiçe…

— Tuncay Mollaveisoglu (@TMollaveisoglu) June 3, 2025

"EXACTLY THE IMAGE OF A COUP ERA"

Journalist Alican Uludağ also emphasized that AA is creating a perception and noted the following:

"Exactly the image of a coup era. They are creating a perception by lining up mayors elected by the public's votes and declaring them guilty in advance. If they were truly guilty, they would do their best to hide them from the press."

Tam da darbe dönemi görüntüsü. Halkın oylarıyla seçilmiş belediye başkanlarını, tek sıraya dizip peşinen suçlu ilan ederek algı yaratıyorlar. Gerçekten suçlu olsalardı, basından kaçırmak için ellerinden geleni yaparlardı. https://t.co/wKWT2oUouL

— Alican Uludağ (@alicanuludag) June 3, 2025

FIRST REACTION FROM CHP: LAW WILL BE NEEDED BY EVERYONE ONE DAY

CHP Deputy Chairman Burhanettin Bulut reacted to the footage in a statement on his social media account, saying: "In no period of Republican history has such an explicit law of enmity been applied. Those who broadcast these shameful images, which target mayors elected by the public's votes and bureaucrats serving their country as if they were war criminals and attempt to discredit them, are trampling on law, justice, and the presumption of innocence. Let it not be forgotten: The law will be needed by everyone one day."

News Source: 12punto