Diken news portal investigated over 'censorship' claims against AKP deputy

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An investigation has been opened against the Diken news portal for reporting censoring of the speech by Erinç Sağkan, chair of the Union of Bar Associations of Türkiye (TBB) at the judiciary year opening ceremony on September 1.

Diken's report had said, "Company close to AKP [the ruling Justice and Development Party] that broadcast the judiciary opening ceremony has censored Sağkan."

The investigation was opened following a complaint by AKP Ankara MP Ali İhsan Arslan. The report of Diken included the claim that Arslan was the "unofficial owner" of Altus Organisation, the company that broadcast the judicial year opening ceremony. The company secured 16 public contracts worth 13,2 million lira in the last 10 years.

Arslan's lawyers filed a complaint about Altan Sandar, an Ankara representative of Diken who wrote the report, and Fatih Gökhan Diler, the managing editor.

In the complaint, it was asserted that Arslan did not have any official or unofficial relation with the company and it was requested that a public prosecution be started against Diler and Sancar for "slander and defamation."

In their petition, the lawyers said, "The report was written with the purpose of character assassination. It is not in the scope of freedom of the press or freedom of expression. It is a report published with the rationale of mud-slinging. My client's right to a good reputation has been violated."

Sancar was invited to bear testimony two months after the complaint while Diler has not received any notification so far.

Duvar announced that Altus Organisation did not have any application for blocking off their report or any confutation sent and that it is not stated in the petition of the lawyers that Sağkan's speech was not censored. (HA/PE/VK)