Response from Akın Gürlek's lawyer to CHP Chairman Özel's allegations: 'It is a perception operation'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel had made statements to journalists following a visit and outlined his allegations regarding Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. Özel highlighted the following three claims:

The ultra-luxury 'official residence' where Akın Gürlek stays in Boğaziçi, the yacht that Gürlek examined and asked the price of at a yacht show, and the subsequent emergence of images of him with the owners of the yacht company...

The luxury vehicle 'allocated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) to the Istanbul Courthouse' and used by Akın Gürlek...

Akın Gürlek's lawyer, Abdullah Adır, participated in a live broadcast on Halktv and stated that these allegations made against Gürlek were a perception operation. Adır made the following statements:

It is not even a matter that requires a response; our client is busy with his work, and the idea of responding to this is mine. Many people believe these topics...

It is said that he went to a yacht show, and it is said for my client that 'he looked at a yacht he could not afford even if he saved his salary for 87 years.' Such perceptions can be created in politics, but we condemn the creation of a perception by presenting these actions, which should not be directed against a judge or the pillars of the judiciary, through the media...

There is a management of perception as if our client bought a yacht... We examined a tank at a defense industry fair, are we obligated to buy that tank? Is there any document proving that this yacht was purchased?

CHP's Ali Mahir Başarır, who was a guest on the program, reacted to these statements by Gürlek's lawyer with the following words:

If I were to go to a fair and look at a luxury vehicle, they would write and draw about me. If there are comments that exceed the purpose regarding this, a compensation lawsuit can be filed, and rights can be sought... but lawsuits are not filed regarding the perception-based news made about us...

Regarding the yacht whose price he asked, photos with the owners of the yacht company have emerged, and these are being questioned.

In the continuation of the program, the following statements were made mutually:

Lawyer

Such news has been made regarding a yacht that a civil servant cannot afford; these are perceptions... 

The İBB gives the vehicle to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, not to an individual! At that time, he was serving under the Justice Commission presidency. If a vehicle was allocated to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and given to Akın Gürlek, there is no harm in this!

Ali Mahir Başarır

These vehicles should also be given to other judges in Turkey; this is not ethical!

Lawyer

There is no need to discuss the brand of the vehicle; I think the mountain labored and brought forth a mouse... We are not talking about a vehicle allocated to Akın Gürlek; this is a vehicle allocated to the Istanbul Administrative Affairs Directorate, and the directorate has carried out the ongoing procedures for the vehicle. My client has no involvement in what kind of agreement was made with the municipality.

Ali Mahir Başarır

The municipality cannot provide such a vehicle... It can provide a driver, but it cannot provide such a luxury vehicle!

Lawyer

Akın Gürlek is not in a position to deal with issues such as the delivery and purchase of such vehicles. This situation is evident from the perception at the fair; these are not even questions worth answering... I will also inform Mr. Ali Mahir about this...

ALLEGATIONS OF A LUXURY HOUSE BUILT WITH ILLEGAL ANNEXES CONTRARY TO ZONING REGULATIONS

Lawyer 

This is a matter of an official residence, and it is a project that started before Mr. Akın arrived, a matter under the responsibility of administrative affairs. There is no point in even answering these, but it is an official residence built by the Ministry of Justice support services...

They say the windows are bulletproof, there is a pool; this is an official residence, and in the end, it will remain with the state. Different people will come and use it as the chief public prosecutor, and it is an official residence that will remain within the state's structure; it is a project that started before he arrived...

Ali Mahir Başarır

There are many chief public prosecutors in Turkey; there is no difference between the chief public prosecutor of Digor and the one in Istanbul... They do not have such a residence; they stay in much more ordinary official residences. 

Lawyer

Then one should also compare the official residence of the Mayor of Digor and the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality!

Ali Mahir Başarır

When you look at the house where Mr. Akın is currently staying, such an allocation of an official residence has never happened for any chief public prosecutor until now!

Lawyer

We are talking about a project that started before Akın Gürlek arrived. These reactions of yours are not sincere; the yacht, the official residence, and the vehicle are a perception operation. 

News Source: 12punto