Statement from Gökhan Türkmen's lawyer regarding 'Elif Perinçek'

The family of Elif Perinçek, who was rescued 65 hours after the collapse of a building in the İzmir earthquake, filed a criminal complaint against singer Gökhan Türkmen, alleging that images of their daughter were used without permission in the promotion of a song he composed about the earthquake and during his concerts. Türkmen has issued a statement through his lawyer.

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Statement from Gökhan Türkmen's lawyer regarding 'Elif Perinçek'

On October 30, 2020, Seferihisar in the 6.6-magnitude earthquake centered in the Doğanlar Apartment building, 3-year-old Elif Perinçek, who was rescued from the rubble after 65 hours and sparked hope by holding onto a firefighter's finger, Elif Perinçekis trying to put the difficult days behind her with her mother Seher and twin sisters Ezel and Elzem, who also survived the earthquake.

Concerned that their daughter is constantly associated with the earthquake in her social circle and that this negatively impacts her life, the family remains cautious about the use of images of their daughter, even when done with good intentions.

THEY TOOK LEGAL ACTION

Most recently, the family of singer Gökhan Türkmeninitiated a legal battle against the use of their daughter's images and personal information in the promotions and concerts for an instrumental composition titled "Elif," which the singer created inspired by the story of her rescue.

In the complaint petition submitted to the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, artist Gökhan Türkmen was accused of "unlawful dissemination of personal data and violation of the Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works."

'OTHER THAN STATING THE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION...'

Lawyer Eda Salman, speaking on behalf of Gökhan Türkmen, stated, "In the press release for the composition in question, other than stating the source of inspiration, no image, surname, or personal information of Elif was shared; no personal data or photographs concerning Elif were distributed by the client in any music video, concert, or any other medium." the statement read.

The statement regarding Elif Perinçek made through Gökhan Türkmen's lawyer is as follows:

In reports appearing in the press today, baseless allegations were made that my client, Gökhan Türkmen, used images of the child named Elif Perinçek, who became one of the symbolic figures of the İzmir earthquake after being rescued from the rubble 65 hours later, in his compositions and concert promotions.

My client Gökhan Türkmen, who maintains his ties to life, takes care to live in harmony with nature, and conveys the difficult struggles faced by humanity through his songs, expressed what he felt deep down regarding Elif as a father through melodies; in April 2023, he released an instrumental work that he composed himself. While releasing the work, my client stated that he was 'inspired' by the story of Elif, who held onto life after being rescued 65 hours after the İzmir earthquake.

In the press release for the composition in question, other than stating the source of inspiration, no image, surname, or personal information of Elif was shared; no personal data or photographs concerning Elif were distributed by the client in any music video, concert, or any other medium.

Furthermore, it was stated by the client that all proceeds from this composition would be transferred to forest projects carried out with the Aegean Forest Foundation, as is the case with the client's other social responsibility projects.

Following the release of the composition, requests to make cash donations to the foundation established by the child's family, to donate concert proceeds to the foundation, and to appear in public with the child were not accepted as they did not align with the client's planned social responsibility processes and approach.

Following the rejection of these persistent demands, it was observed today that news reports were published containing baseless accusations that the client used Elif's photos without permission; it was met with astonishment that Elif's name and images were included in these very reports, which claimed the family was distressed due to the use of the photographs.

We would like to state that while there has been no notification served to the client regarding any legal process initiated concerning these allegations, the client reserves all legal rights against any person or media outlet that publishes BASELESS news against the client, who has not included the child's name, photograph, or any personal data in any medium.

News Source: 12punto