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Following a decision of non-jurisdiction given by the prosecutor's office, Uludağ University adiministration has reportedly launched an investigation against public health specialist Prof. Kayıhan Pala over an interview published on a Bursa-based local news website.
As reported by Serkan Alan from Gazete Duvar, Pala was first tipped off by the Provincial Administration Board of Bursa Governor's Office after he gave an interview to "enBursa.com" website on April 20. The interview was about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and it was entitled "The number of cases and fatalities in Bursa is higher than announced."
In its appeal to the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Provincial Administration Board argued that Prof. Pala "misinformed the public" and "made statements that would lead people to panic." Examining these allegations, the Office gave a decision of non-jurisdiction.
The Office, then, sent the investigation file to Uludağ University. The university administration has now launched an investigation against Pala.
A member of TTB COVID-19 Monitoring Group
Commenting on the investigation, Pala has said:
"It is true that an investigation has been launched. It is because of an interview that I gave to a local newspaper and channel in Bursa. And the university has launched an investigation."
Having specialized in public health, Prof. Pala is also a member of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) COVID-19 Monitoring Group.
Investigation criticized on social media
The investigation against the physician has also been condemned on social media. Some of these messages are as follows:
Journalist Burak Tatari: "On June 1, Prof. Kayıhan Pala said, 'Mid-June might witness a new surge in the number of cases, we need to avoid closed places as much as possible.' Then, do you know what happened? The number of cases has indeed surged in mid-June."
Economist Mustafa Sönmez: "Especially indicating that he is a member of the TTB COVID-19 working group, an investigation was launched against Prof. Kayıhan Pala by the chief public prosecutor's office.
"However, the Presidency of Uludağ University is also conducting an investigation. The accusation is 'misinforming the public' and 'making statements that would lead people to panic.' Unbelievable!"
Chamber of Mechanical Engineers (MMO) Bursa branch: "Kayıhan Pala is a scientist. It is his duty to tell the truths, it can never be a crime. Kayıhan Pala is not alone." (SO/SD)
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