3 executives of Religious Scholars Solidarity Association on trial for ‘abusing trust’

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The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has sued the three executives of the Religious Scholars Solidarity Association (DİAYDER).

Arrested DİAYDER Chair Ekrem Baran, bookkeeper Rıza Oğur and former chair Mehmet Şimşek have been put on trial for "abusing trust".

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), in the audit and inspection carried out by the Interior Ministry's inspectors, it was indicated that in the Book of Invoices dated May 2022, 2019, the records that should have been kept in the operating account book were not there.

In the report cited in the indictment of the prosecutor's office, it was written that the association had missing documents, the donation money was not in the safe of the association and no document could be obtained as to what it was used for. The indictment has argued that the three executives of the association "abused trust" by violating the Law on Associations.

Accordingly, Ekrem Baran, Mehmet Şimşek and Rıza Oğur now face 1 year to 7 years in prison each on the offense charged.

It also faces a closure case

Arrested for preaching in Kurdish and cited as the reason for Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's 'special inquiry' against the opposition-led İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İMM) employees, the Religious Scholars Solidarity Association (DİAYDER) has also been facing a closure case.

As reported by Mehmet Aslan from MA, at the interim hearing held by the İstanbul 14th High Criminal Court on December 27, 2021, it was ruled that a writ should be sent to İstanbul Governor's Office to find out whether there was an administrative investigation against the association.

The Civil Inspector's Office of the Ministry of Interior responded to this writ and argued that the DİAYDER's actions were against Article 2 of its bylaw. The Office also alleged that the activities that the DİAYDER engages in and the statements that it makes constitute a crime.

Accordingly, the prosecutor demanded that the activities of DİAYDER be halted as a precaution and the association be dissolved as per the Article 89 of the Anti-Terror Law (TMK). (RT/SD)