100,000 TL lawsuit from Demirören! Bildirici: This will be the ground where the billion-dollar loan is accounted for

In his article, Bildirici addressed the allegation, which has also been a subject of public debate, that a significant portion of Demirören's loan debt to Ziraat Bank has not been repaid.

Bildirici had stated that "senior executives at CNN Türk established a shell company and that money received from individuals brought onto programs was transferred to this company."

According to Birgün's report, Bildirici wrote in his article: "The transfer of CNN Türk's broadcasting revenues to this company called ERA Yapım has likely also caught the attention of Ziraat Bank, which has been unable to collect its 895 million dollar loan receivable and 25 million dollars in interest this year as well. However, the statement from Demirören Media does not mention the allegations that money was taken from individuals such as doctors and mayors who were brought onto the broadcasts. Yet, according to documents in the news reports and which I have also accessed, the method of bringing people onto programs for a fee has also been applied in CNN Türk's news bulletins.

By broadcasting covert advertisements under the guise of news, CNN Türk has deceived its viewers," he stated. The lawsuit petition claimed that Demirören Media does not have any overdue debt to Ziraat Bank.

REQUEST FOR ACCESS BLOCK

Furthermore, in the application made by Demirören Holding lawyers to the Bakırköy Civil Court of First Instance, it was stated: "An perception is being created that the client companies are cooperating with shell companies to transfer company revenues to these companies in an unlawful and irregular manner, acting with the intent of not paying their debts, and defrauding state banks."

The lawyers, who are demanding 100,000 TL in non-pecuniary damages, also requested the removal of the content and a block on access until the conclusion of the case.

BİLDİRİCİ: THIS LAWSUIT IS A GOOD THING

In a post on his social media account, Faruk Bildirici wrote the following regarding the lawsuit:

"Demirören Holding has filed a 100,000 TL compensation lawsuit against BirGün due to my article 'CNN Türk's paid programs'. This is a good thing! This lawsuit will be the ground where the billion-dollar loan they received from Ziraat Bank is accounted for. Those who acquire media with the state's purse should not talk about reputation."

ONLY 3% PAID

It was announced that Demirören Holding has paid only 3.2 percent of the 895 million dollar loan debt it took from Ziraat Bank in 2018 to purchase the Doğan Media Group.

Responding in writing to a question from CHP İzmir Deputy Atila Sertel, a member of the TBMM State Economic Enterprises (KİT) Commission, Ziraat Bank General Manager Alpaslan Çakar stated that all receivables were taken as a basis for restructuring and that a total of 586 million 221 thousand 750 TL had been collected from the firm since the date of restructuring.

This amounts to 3.2 percent of the total debt. In other words, contrary to Demirören's statement that they paid '1.3 billion dollars', the amount they paid to the bank is at a very low level. The Demirören Group most recently made a 90 million dollar installment payment in May 2023.

A temporary bankruptcy decision was issued regarding the Demirören family's real estate company in Germany due to a 240 million euro loan debt, as they have not paid their millions of dollars in debt to Ziraat Bank. The court also transferred the management of the company's assets to an appointed lawyer.

The Demirören family was building Upside Berlin, one of Berlin's most luxurious real estate projects.

News Source: 12punto