Trustee Appointed to Koza Holding

Upon the request of Public Prosecutor of Ankara, a trustee has been appointed by Ankara 5th Criminal Court of Peace to Koza İpek Holding including 22 corporations which a police operation was launched against it on September 1, with allegations of “promoting and financing terror”.

Petition for request

According to the Hürriyet daily, Public Prosecutor wrote a petition for request and appointed three expertise to investigate Koza corporations and CEO Akın İpek’s confiscated bills, notebooks, digital records, and all documents.

Accusations

The accusations against Koza İpek Holding are:

Accounting fraud, abusing of tax-veiling, hidden income, not reporting tax payment, counterfeiting, gaining intelligence and information about opponents for achieving goals for the sake of the organization, exchanging letters that may be threat risk.

Reactions against the appointment of trustee

The decision has been protested on social media: #medyamadokunma (Don’t touch my media).

International Press Institute (IPI) Director of Advocacy and Communications Steven Ellis:

“We are extremely troubled by today’s news, which follows claims of an impending crackdown on news media outlets ahead of the Nov. 1 election. These raids appear to be an attempt to pressure Koza İpek to induce self-censorship in its media holdings. Turkey desperately needs not only reform of anti-terror laws but recognition and respect by authorities for the absolutely vital role of free, independent media in a democracy.” (On September 1)

Journalist Derya Sazak: If you shut opposing press up, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observers will note the suspicions over the reflection of the free will of the citizens on November 1 general elections. It is very dangerous to grasp the media. If there weren’t 2013 Corruption Scandal that broke out in Turkey between December 17 and 25, there would have been no pro-coup mindset and (Fethullah) Gülen Movement would not have been terrorist.

Cumhuriyet daily CEO:

In legal parlance, the appointment to Koza İpek Group means that “First hang the man, and then judge him.” (ÇT/EKN/BD)

Click here to read the article in Turkish

This publication has been produced within the partnership with Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso for the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), co-funded by the European Commission. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of IPS Communication Foundation and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.