Defne Samyeli responds to 'drug party' allegations

In a drug investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, İsmail Ahmet Akçay, the driver for Kasım Garipoğlu—whose assets have been seized—claimed in his testimony under the effective remorse law that Defne Samyeli was among the celebrities who attended Garipoğlu's parties. Samyeli responded to these allegations on her social media account.

‘THE ONLY PARTY WAS ŞEVVAL ŞAHİN’S BIRTHDAY’

Samyeli stated that the only party she attended at Garipoğlu's house was the birthday party organized by Şevval Şahin last September, and that no illegal substances were used there. She noted that she attended the party with her daughters, Derin and Deren Talu, and that it was a celebration in a family-friendly environment.

‘THIS IS THE TRUTH’

In her statement titled “This is the truth…”, Defne Samyeli included the following remarks:

The only party I attended at Kasım Garipoğlu’s house was the birthday party that Şevval Şahin organized there last September. My daughters know Şevval from modeling; since they were also invited, we attended the birthday party together.

Şevval’s mother, sister, and even her 4-year-old niece were at that house. We met them and played with the little girl. A professional film crew was there; we took photos that are still on my Instagram account.

The party I attended and observed has absolutely no connection to the environments involving the use of illegal substances or other illicit entertainment that are currently dominating the news. I remember all the details clearly, as we rushed to the veterinarian that same night because our cat’s condition had worsened. And that night, we lost our cat, Tarkan.

‘VERY UGLY, VERY MISLEADING’

The implication in the news reports where my name is mentioned today, as if Garipoğlu’s driver testified that I was one of those “attending drug parties,” is both very ugly and very misleading. He could not have given such a statement; at most, he must have mentioned this birthday party from last year.

In this environment where things are being conflated, I want to draw attention to this: There are those who want to cherry-pick celebrity names from these statements and dilute the agenda by turning it into tabloid fodder. Let us be careful; I suggest we do not get caught up in the “tabloid frenzy” conducted over celebrity names on social media and miss the real criminals and the big picture in the process.

‘I AM FOCUSING ON THE BIG PICTURE, NOT TABLOIDS’

On this occasion, I would like to underline that, as my close circle can easily testify, I have been against all kinds of drugs throughout my life.

I support every operation by the state in the fight against this poison that undermines the entire decision-making mechanism, will, and productivity of society; I am focusing on the big picture, not tabloids, and I wholeheartedly hope that those who cause trouble for our youth and our country by spreading and supplying this crime receive the punishment they deserve.”

News Source: 12punto