Striking details in Cem Küçük’s prosecutor testimony: He did not share his phone password

During the prosecutor's interrogation, Cem Küçük was reminded that he had stated on a television program that money was transferred to Berkay Gezgin's account from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) subsidiaries and that this was included in MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) reports.

Küçük stated that he had never read the MASAK reports in question and that his reference to the report during the broadcast was due to the fact that the topic being discussed at the time was related to MASAK reports.

Küçük also argued that the perception that approximately 1 million lira was transferred to Berkay Gezgin every month was incorrect, claiming that he was referring to a total of approximately 1 million lira.

HE STATED HE REPORTED THE “2 MILLION DOLLARS FOUND” CLAIM WITHOUT VERIFICATION

In his prosecutor's testimony, Cem Küçük was also asked about his statements on the Medya Kritik program regarding the "2 million dollars found in bundles" at Fatih Keleş's home.

Küçük stated that he used this information based on a news report in another newspaper and that he later realized the news was incorrect when he examined the indictment. He said that he corrected his statement and apologized following this.

“DEBT AND ORGANIZATION FEE” DEFENSE FOR 27 SEPARATE MONEY TRANSFERS

The prosecutor's office also brought up the fact that there was a total of 537 thousand 800 lira in money movement between journalist Tahir Sarıkaya and Cem Küçük across 27 separate transactions.

Stating that he had no commercial partnership with Sarıkaya, Küçük first explained the money transfers as being based on a past debt relationship.

Later, when asked about a secret witness's claim that "Tahir Sarıkaya handles Cem Küçük's financial affairs," he said this time that the transfers in question were due to "debt-credit issues or organization fees." However, he did not provide any documentation regarding which organization or which debt this related to.

“THE BROADCAST IS COMPLETELY IN YOUR FAVOR” MESSAGE AND SHOE CORRESPONDENCE

WhatsApp correspondence between Cem Küçük and Turgut Koç, examined within the scope of the investigation, was also included in the file. It was determined that in the correspondence, after Küçük told Koç that he would evaluate the allegations against him on air, he sent the message, "The broadcast is completely in your favor right now." In the same conversation, it was determined that Küçük said, "You can gift a pair of shoes now," and Koç replied, "You are my dear." Cem Küçük, on the other hand, claimed in the prosecutor's office that these statements were entirely a joke and that he did not receive any shoes.

HE ASKED “WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GIFTS?” AND RECEIVED SHOES FROM BEYMEN

Another notable section in the file was the correspondence with Mehmet Cemil Acar, the former department head of the State Airports Authority (DHMİ). According to the prosecutor's findings, on January 10, 2025, Cem Küçük sent a message to Mehmet Cemil Acar saying, "What happened to your gifts?" In the continuing correspondence, the shoe size, the Beymen store where it would be picked up, and the product being left at the checkout were discussed. It was determined that Küçük later reported that he had received the shoes. Admitting in his prosecutor's testimony that he received the shoes, Cem Küçük argued that this was merely a New Year's gift and was not given in exchange for any news or transaction.

“I FORWARDED IT TO THE KÜLLİYE” MESSAGE IS ALSO IN THE FILE

In another correspondence with the same person, it was seen that some allegations within DHMİ were forwarded to Cem Küçük and he was asked, "Can you look into this issue, can you do something, brother?" It was determined that Küçük replied to this by saying, "I forwarded it to the Külliye (Presidential Complex)." Confirming this correspondence at the prosecutor's office, Cem Küçük said that he gave this answer not for any personal gain, but to help resolve the problem forwarded to him.

HE RECEIVED MONEY 14 TIMES FROM A PERSON HE CLAIMED HE DID NOT KNOW

The prosecutor's office also asked Cem Küçük about the total of 99 thousand lira sent to his account in 14 separate transactions by a person named Sezer Sezginer. Küçük stated that he did not know the person in question and did not know why money was sent to his account. It was noted that he could not provide any explanation regarding why money was repeatedly sent to his account from a person he claimed he did not know.

HE COULD NOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTS FOR PAYMENTS FROM CYPRUS

During the prosecutor's interrogation, 17 separate payments sent to Cem Küçük's account by the Cyprus-based Diyalog Gazetecilik were also brought up. Küçük argued that this money was paid in exchange for translation services, but admitted that there were no contracts, invoices, receipts, or correspondence regarding these works. He also claimed that payments made by the China-based GB Times Global were due to his commentary activities in previous years.

HE ADMITTED TO TRANSLATING ADNAN OKTAR’S BOOKS FOR A FEE

In his prosecutor's testimony, Cem Küçük was also questioned about allegations regarding his connection to the Adnan Oktar criminal organization. Küçük denied the allegations that he carried out activities in favor of the organization. In contrast, he admitted that he and his team translated Adnan Oktar's books arriving from abroad for a fee. He also confirmed that he met with Adnan Oktar at an iftar program in 2012 and participated in a live broadcast on A9 television once.

HE DID NOT SHARE HIS PHONE PASSWORD

In the testimony, Cem Küçük stated that he did not give the password to his mobile phone when he was detained, and that he did not want to share the password during the prosecutor's interrogation either.

The investigation file also includes the secret witness's allegations that Cem Küçük made broadcasts in favor of or against people in exchange for money, received money through Tahir Sarıkaya, and exerted pressure through his broadcasts. Cem Küçük denied all these allegations, arguing that they were slanderous.

While it was learned that the investigation is continuing regarding money movements, digital materials, and other evidence, it was stated that the allegations in the file are evaluations at the investigation stage and that criminal liability will be finalized as a result of the trial.

News Source: 12punto