Cumhuriyet columnist Mehmet Ali Güller and reporter Batuhan Serim give statements

Cumhuriyet newspaper columnist Mehmet Ali Güller and reporter Batuhan Serim gave statements at the Şişli District Police Department as part of investigations launched against them. Both journalists were questioned in the capacity of "suspects."

According to the newspaper, Güller was questioned regarding his June 29 post on his X account, which shared statements from an article by retired soldier Orkun Özeller. Güller stated that he shared the post in question without adding any commentary and by citing his source, and he rejected the accusation.

Reporter Batuhan Serim was questioned over his news report concerning the correspondence of the detained Cem Küçük that had entered the investigation file. The report had conveyed the allegation that former Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoğlu held meetings with the aim of becoming a trustee for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, based on the correspondence reflected in the file.

Serim stated that the correspondence included in the report had already entered the investigation file and that the allegation in question was not his own. In his statement, Serim said, "I did not insult or slander anyone. I do not accept the charged accusation."

Cumhuriyet's lawyer, Enes Hikmet Ermaner, also stated that Güller and Serim's news report and social media post were within the scope of journalistic activity and requested that a decision of non-prosecution be issued for both journalists.

News Source: 12punto