Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an ex officio investigation on charges of “attempting to influence a fair trial” and “publicly disseminating misleading information to the public” due to the words of TÜSİAD High Advisory Council President Mehmet Ömer Arif Aras, who made a statement at the association’s general assembly on February 13, that were likely to disrupt public peace.

REQUEST FOR UP TO 5 YEARS OF PRISON

As a result of the investigation, in the first indictment prepared by the prosecutor’s office against Turan and Aras, a prison sentence of up to 5 years and 6 months was requested for the crime of “publicly disseminating misleading information to the public”. In the second indictment, it was requested that he be sentenced to a judicial fine of not less than 50 days for the crime of “attempting to influence a fair trial in a chain manner”. It was decided to combine these indictments.

THE DECISION HEARING WAS HELD

The decision hearing of the case was held at the Istanbul 28th Criminal Court of First Instance. Defendants Mehmet Ömer Arif Aras, Orhan Turan and their lawyers were present at the hearing. The defendants defended themselves against the opinion and demanded their acquittal.

Director of Communications Duran, in his post on his social media account, announced that following the latest developments in the region, it has been determined that intense disinformation and psychological operation activities targeting Türkiye are being carried out in digital media. In his statement, Duran pointed out that from the first moment of the attacks against Iran, it has been seen that some social media accounts have been making systematic posts aimed at creating fear, panic and insecurity in the society through unverified content, and said, “The relevant institutions of our state have followed this process closely from the first moment; the necessary steps have been taken with determination against digital manipulation attempts targeting public order, social peace and our national security. In this context, the General Directorate of Security, Department of Combating Cyber Crimes, Information Technologies and Communication Authority, under the coordination of the Presidency Directorate of Communications.” “As a result of the work carried out with our Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices, access to 41 social media accounts (X, Facebook and Instagram) targeting the domestic front with disinformation and provocative content has been blocked. 75 contents have been removed from digital platforms. Legal proceedings have been initiated against these and other accounts under investigation, which were found to be carrying out psychological operations with criminal posts.”

In the statement made by the Directorate of Communications, the following statements were made:

Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had a telephone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Leaders discussed regional and global issues, especially Türkiye-Italy bilateral relations and the course of the conflict process in our region. During the meeting, our President stated that they are working to further the Türkiye-Italy cooperation in every field, especially trade.

President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye is closely following the developments in Iran and their reflections on the region, and that the necessary suggestions have been made to the parties to avoid steps that increase instability. Our President stated that, as Türkiye, we advocate strengthening the basis for diplomacy, that the international community should work together for this, and that the conflictual process carries risks that will endanger global security. President Erdoğan stated that the conflicts taking place in our region and the world once again reveal the importance of NATO allies increasing their cooperation, especially in the defense industry.

DETAILS COMING…

Istanbul Technical University students met at the 7th traditional iftar event held at ITU Ayazağa Campus. In the program attended by thousands of university students, the area was colored with decorations and lighting and was crowned with the verse “Believers are brothers”. While more than 50 tables were set up in the area, thousands of young people broke their fast together and performed the evening prayer collectively after iftar. The traditional iftar event, held every year, was held with a different enthusiasm this year.

“I WOULD KEEP MY FAST ALONE”

BAYKAR Chairman of the Board of Directors Selçuk Bayraktar and National Defense University Rector Erhan Afyoncu also participated in the program and broke their fast with the students. Bayraktar, himself an ITU graduate, addressed the young people in the field after the iftar.

Bayraktar talked about the months of Ramadan, which he spent with difficulty abroad during his university years, with the following words: “When I go back years ago, I graduated from ITU and was working as a research assistant abroad. Of course, the Ramadan season would coincide again. We would fast, but alone. There was no one around…

“YOU MAKE ME HOPE”

It was time for iftar. I will never forget, we would break our fast with a slice of pizza and a soft drink at the food court. Alone, of course. Now I thank God that He showed me these days. Together with you, thousands of my young brothers and sisters, we celebrate and observe Ramadan together, in a brotherly and friendly manner, at the same table. Just like a festival. Indeed, it always makes me grateful for today and gives me hope for the future, in this dark situation the world is dragged into.”

The National Intelligence Organization (MİT) destroyed the DAESH cell that was preparing sabotage actions in Damascus. 3 DAESH members were captured in the operation carried out as a result of MİT’s intelligence sharing. A bomb-laden vehicle was neutralized. As a result of the intelligence shared by MİT with Syrian security and intelligence units, DAESH cell members and their connections operating in Damascus were monitored. Members of the organization named Ömer Hashim, Muhammed Hamed and Hüseyin Halef were captured during the operation. Bomb disposal experts neutralized the bomb vehicle, which was prepared to be detonated remotely and left at a critical point. During the inspection of the vehicle, C4 and TNT plastic explosives that would cause large-scale destruction were seized. After the completion of the interrogation procedures, the 3 captured suspects were referred to the anti-terrorism unit within the Syrian General Intelligence Service in order to reveal their possible connections with the people supporting the cell. In a voice recording shared by DAESH last week, it was stated that members of the organization were instructed to prepare for action.

It was revealed that the CHP municipality in Yalova’s Çiftlikköy district demanded 23 grams of gold from the tradesmen instead of money as the occupation fee, and the tradesmen made the payment in gold. Celal Balcı, who has been operating a small-scale amusement park in the municipality’s area since 2013, said that in the meeting held at the beginning of the 2024 summer season, the occupation fee was determined as 60 thousand TL, but a few days later, the municipal police officer came and said, “We want you to make the payment in 23 grams of gold.

“Mayor Adil Yele will use it as jewelry in events such as weddings, circumcisions and births,” he said. Balcı then claimed that he delivered 23 grams of gold to the staff in the mayor’s office, but no receipt was given for the delivery. Balcı said that he repeatedly requested a collection receipt verbally and in writing, but his request was left unanswered.

Tradesman Balcı, who recently encountered an eviction notice, was surprised at what happened. In the official letter from the municipality, it was stated that there was an occupation debt of 113 thousand 273 TL for 2024 and that the area should be evacuated within 3 days. Balcı, who also saw that interest exceeding 50 thousand liras was charged along with the late payment penalty, went to Çiftlikköy Mayor Adil Yele’s office and wanted to meet. However, Balcı said that he was kicked out by being told to “Go wherever you want and complain” and added, “I gave 23 grams of gold and also ended up in debt.” Balcı said that he filed a complaint against Mayor Yele and the relevant police officer.