Journalist and BirGün correspondent İsmail Arı was arrested for "spreading misleading information to the public" within the scope of the investigation initiated upon the complaint of former RTÜK Chairman Ebubekir Şahin.
FUND INVESTIGATION ASKED
At the Prosecutor's Office, Arı was asked whether he shared a news article about the fund investigation in the Cumhuriyet newspaper, stating that former bureaucrat Osman Nacar, who was mentioned in the fund investigation and allegedly fled abroad, was acquainted with former RTÜK Chairman Ebubekir Şahin, and if so, whether he had any documents indicating that Şahin was related to the fund investigation.
Stating that he did not remember whether he shared such a post or not, Arı stated that he was also called to testify within the scope of the file carried out by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the same issue.
İsmail Arı said:
"Due to the threats I still receive, Ankara Governorship has a protection order against me. In other words, I am a journalist protected by the state. I have no job other than my journalistic activity, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. I do not know whether his name was mentioned in the funding investigation regarding Ebubekir Şahin. I did not make any news about this issue. I was summoned to testify by the Çankaya District Police Department, in accordance with the instruction sent from the file of the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the same issue. The police officer called me from my personal phone.
Then I was going to testify. He sent me a message and said, "I'm on leave for a week, come back in a week." My lawyer also witnessed all these processes. After this, the file came to Ankara, I don't know how. When the police officers at the Security Branch Directorate in Ankara called me, I immediately went to testify. There was no situation that required me to be detained. Despite this, I was detained."
"I DID NOT ACT WITH THE INTENTION TO DISTURB ANYONE'S PEACE"
"I did not act with the intention of disturbing anyone's peace and tranquility. I have not shared any insulting posts. I have not shared any misleading information. In fact, the elements of the crime of publicly disseminating misleading information have not been formed. I have certainly not taken any action that would agitate or provoke the public."
Stating that he has been a journalist for 7 years and that the purpose of his profession is to inform the public, İsmail Arı said, "I have not done any journalism outside the requirements of my profession. Many investigations have been opened against me, but I have decided not to prosecute most of them. I do not accept the accusations made against me. I request a decision that there is no need for prosecution against me."
LAWYER ARI "NEWS IS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF JOURNALISM"
Arı's lawyer, Taylan Arı, stated that his client did not make news in the number and frequency that could be considered within the scope of insistence on the complainant.
Stating that there must be a special intent for the crime of "disturbing the peace and tranquility of people", lawyer Arı said, "The client is a journalist. The news he made is within the scope of journalism and has the motivation to inform. The material and moral elements of the alleged crime have not been formed."
Lawyer Taylan Arı, who argued that his client did not allege facts or acts that would harm the honor, dignity and respect of the complainant, stated that the elements of the crime of insult were not met.
LAWYER KÜÇÜK: “AN EVIDENCE SHOWING THAT HE HAS FULFILLED HIS JOURNALISM PROFESSION RIGHTLY”
Lawyer Hayati Küçük also stated that Arı informed the complainant about the news he was going to make about her via WhatsApp and wanted to get her opinion, and said:
"The complainant did not respond to this and filed a complaint on the grounds that it disturbed him. Although a criminal element such as persistent stalking is mentioned here, it essentially constitutes evidence showing that he has fulfilled his profession of journalism properly."
Lawyer Küçük argued that his client did not remember making the post in question, and even if it was accepted that the post was made, the elements of the crime regulated in Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code did not occur.
LAWYER ALTIPARMAK: “IT HAS NOT BEEN EXPRESSED WHAT IS CONTRARY TO THE TRUTH”
Lawyer Kerem Altıparmak stated that Ebubekir Şahin was the President of RTÜK for a long time and currently serves as the General Manager of Türk Telekom, and drew attention to Şahin's public position and the importance of the issue to the public.
Noting that it is known that there is a funding crisis in Türkiye that will cause public losses between 20 and 100 billion dollars as of September 16, 2026, Altıparmak said that it is claimed that high-level politicians and public officials also played a role in this process.
