The court has delivered its verdict in the defamation lawsuit filed by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu against Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar.
Attorneys for both parties attended the hearing held today. The attorney for IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu requested that the lawsuit be accepted, stating, “My client is not associated with the PKK or any other terrorist organization. These allegations are completely baseless.” The attorney for Haluk Bayraktar argued that his client's statements should be considered within the scope of criticism.
COURT DELIVERS VERDICT
The court ruled that the act of defamation was established and sentenced Haluk Bayraktar to pay 15 thousand TL in compensation, plus legal interest. The reasoning for the decision will be announced within one month. The parties have the right to appeal the decision to the regional court.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In a post shared on the social media platform X last April, Haluk Bayraktar criticized İmamoğlu, stating, “I am addressing Ekrem İmamoğlu, who feeds these PKK members: Stop setting your leashed dogs on us. If you have anything to say other than lies, say it to our faces like a man so we can give you an answer.”
Following Bayraktar's post, a statement issued by the IMM indicated that the post contained slander and that legal proceedings had been initiated as a result. The statement included the words, “We are not surprised that those who do not refrain from slander and conspiracy even during the month of Ramadan continue the same malice during the holiday,” and subsequently, a defamation lawsuit was filed against Haluk Bayraktar.
News Source: 12punto
