TÜSİAD executives Orhan Turan and Ömer Aras's court testimonies: 'I did not provide misleading information'

Following an investigation launched ex officio by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association) President Orhan Turan and TÜSİAD High Advisory Council President Mehmet Ömer Arif Aras over their speeches at the association's general assembly on February 13, regarding statements made about ongoing investigations and prosecutions, Turan and Aras were brought to the Istanbul Courthouse yesterday under police escort to provide their statements to the prosecutor's office on charges of "attempting to influence a fair trial" and "publicly disseminating false information."

TURAN AND ARAS'S TESTIMONIES REVEALED

According to a report by Fahrettin Öztürk from Cumhuriyet, following their statements to the prosecutor, Turan and Aras were referred to the on-duty criminal judgeship of peace with a request for a judicial control measure in the form of a travel ban on charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information." The court decided to impose a judicial control measure in the form of a travel ban on Orhan Turan and Ömer Aras. The testimonies given by Turan and Aras during the court hearing have been revealed.

"WE ARE TRYING TO BRING TURKISH ENTREPRENEURS TOGETHER"

Orhan Turan stated during the court hearing that he reiterated the statement he gave to the prosecutor, saying, "I conduct extensive exports abroad. We export to nearly 80 countries. I have frequent international travels. I travel abroad with our Minister of Trade. We will have trips to China and the United States in March and April. We are working on artificial intelligence. We are trying to bring Turkish entrepreneurs together there as well. My address is known, I am a business person," and requested that the request for a travel ban judicial control measure be rejected.

"I DID NOT PROVIDE MISLEADING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC"

Ömer Aras stated in his court testimony that he reiterated his statement to the prosecutor, noting that the main theme of his speech was about what needs to be done for the Turkish economy to advance. He said, "I tried to express the general sensitivities of society by giving examples regarding the language of education and the rule of law, measures to be taken in the economy, women's rights for the development of our country, the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and many economic and financial issues to pave the way for Turkey. I did not provide any information in my speech that would mislead the public. All approaches and expressions are in the form of interpreting the effects on the economy."

HE OBJECTED TO THE BAN

Aras noted that he made the speech in question with the aim of improving Turkey's investment climate, that his address and business have been known to everyone for 40 years, that he has resided in the same house for 33 years, and that he has worked in the same job for 38 years, stating: "I am the Chairman of the Board of Directors of an international bank, QNB. I have been the Chairman of the Board for 15 years. I have been working there since the bank's establishment. I am 70 years old. Because I am at the head of this bank, my contacts abroad are quite frequent. I travel to many countries, primarily Qatar. 15,000 people work at our bank. We are trying to contribute to the Turkish economy. I request that the travel ban be lifted for me."

News Source: 12punto