How did December 14 Operation Take Place?
Over the investigation conducted Public Prosecutor’s Office of Istanbul, the anti-terror teams of Istanbul Police Department has started operations in 13 cities, notably in Istanbul.
It is noted that custody warrants have been issued for 31 people including Ekrem Dumanlı (editor-in-chief of Zaman newspaper), Hidayet Karaca (Samanyolu TV Chairman of Broadcast Group) and several TV show producers. There is a search warrant issued for Zaman newspaper.
Karaca, several TV show producers, scriptwriters, former FAT Desk Chief and Tufan Ergüder (former Police Chief of Hakkari) are under custody.
Claims of operation is brought to the agenda by a Twitter account “fuatavni”. Deputy of Prime Minister Bülent Arınç made a statement regarding the claims of 400 people (150 of which are journalists) to be taken into custody in December 12 which is today: “I found that it is serious and a little bad. I hope that none of this is real in any scale.”
Statement from the prosecutor's office
Public Prosecution Office of Istanbul stated at 2 pm local time that they have issued a custody order for 31 people for “establishing, managing and being a member of a terrorist organization and committing fraud” after confirming that “several press members and PD members pretend to conduct an investigation about the organization “Tahşiye” by creating false evidence.
“Free Media Can Not Be Silenced!”
Police force came to the building of Zaman newspaper located in Yenibosna early in the morning on December 14. People who have been waiting in front of the building since yesterday night shouted “Free Media Can Not Be Silenced!”.
According to a news in hurriyet.com.tr, Ekrem Dumanlı stated that his lawyers had a conversation with Chief Prosecutor Hadi Salihoğlu, as Dumanlı went to Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan on Friday. Dumanlı also states that Chief Prosecutor Hadi Salihoğlu said “There is no such thing” and gave written documents to his lawyers. Dumanlı adds: “Either the Chief Prosecutor is lying or something is happening without him knowing anything. We tweeted and posted a photo when we heard that a lawsuit was filed against us. We said ‘we are here, waiting for you’.”
Dumanlı called out to Police Department workers: “You have had a custody warrant issued for me. Come then, let’s drink some tea and then we go to where we have to. The God is by the truth’s side, not the tyrant. These days too shall pass. We should preserve democracy.” He also called out to journalists: “Do not fear, fear knows no endings. I believe it is the morning rush of the television. There is no “raiding the Parallel structure” or “coup d’etat”. There is a strike blown to the freedom of the press. This is illegal.”
Hidayet Karaca (Samanyolu TV Chairman of Broadcast Group, under custody): “You know, sometimes in democracies there are prices to pay. Let this price be on our nation. STV Broadcast Group has always earned the respect and praise of this nation with the broadcast and projects. I have always been proud of being part of this organization. For over 15 years, we are here as brothers and from now on we will working so.”
TV Show Producer ve Scriptwriters under custody
Salih Asan, producer of TV Show “Sungurlar” in Samanyolu TV (STV) and the director Engin Koç are taken into custody in Eskişehir. Taken from their homes by the police and brought to the hospital for check-up, Koç and Asan are then brought to Fight Against Terrorism Desk at the Provincial Police Department. Following their statements, Koç and Asan are transferred to Istanbul by the police.
Makbule Çam Alemdağ, scriptwriter of the TV show “Tek Türkiye” in STV, is taken into custody at her home in Van.
It is stated that Elif Yılmaz, a STV worker, is also under custody.
Former anti-terror police chief under custody
Tufan Ergüder, former anti-terror police chief and former police commissioner in Hakkari, is under custody. He is taken to the Police Department, accompanied by the police.
In the news of Anadolu Agency, claims took place regarding people including PD members and press workers to have been involved in “creating false crime and evidence” in 2009 for the organization “Tahşiye”. (BK/AS/BAR/BM)
* Photo credit: Ahmet Bolat, Berk Özkan / AA
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.