TÜSİAD President and High Advisory Council President conclude their testimonies

TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan, who is under investigation on charges of "spreading misleading information" and "attempting to influence the judiciary," has begun giving his testimony. Ömer Arif Aras's testimony lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes.

TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan and TÜSİAD High Advisory Council President Ömer Arif Aras were taken to give testimony today as part of an investigation launched on charges of "spreading misleading information" and "attempting to influence the judiciary," following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks: "You may miss the old Turkey, but in the new Turkey, you will know your place."

Orhan Turan was taken from his home to give testimony under police escort, while it was reported that Mehmet Ömer Arif Aras was picked up from his workplace.

At the Çağlayan Courthouse, Ömer Arif Aras's testimony lasted 2 hours and 40 minutes, while TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan's testimony lasted 1 hour.

Following the testimonies, a decision is awaited.

The statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the investigation is as follows:

"An ex officio investigation was launched by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on 14/02/2025 against Mehmet Ömer Arif ARAS, President of the High Advisory Council of the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD), for the crimes of attempting to influence a fair trial and publicly spreading misleading information, due to his statements at the TÜSİAD general assembly held on 13/02/2025 that contained disinformation, were contrary to the truth, and involved suggesting and directing the judiciary,

During the ongoing investigation, upon the determination that the individual named Orhan TURAN, the TÜSİAD president who spoke at the association's general assembly held on 13/02/2025, also made statements in his speech regarding certain investigations and prosecutions being conducted by judicial authorities that contained disinformation, were contrary to the truth, involved suggesting and directing the judiciary, and were capable of disturbing public peace, it was decided to launch an ex officio investigation against the suspect Orhan TURAN within the scope of the ongoing investigation for the crimes of Publicly Spreading Misleading Information and Attempting to Influence a Fair Trial,

Instructions have been given to the Istanbul Police Department Security Branch Directorate to ensure that suspects Orhan TURAN and Mehmet Ömer Arif ARAS are made available at our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office."

News Source: 12punto