BREAKING NEWS: Arrest Warrant Issued for Barış Pehlivan
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office continues its investigation into the unauthorized phone call made by an expert and broadcasted on Halk TV, with the intention of revealing the target of the investigation.
During the prosecutor’s testimony, it was revealed that journalist Barış Pehlivan had sought the expert mentioned in Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality President Ekrem Imamoglu’s press conference to address certain allegations. Pehlivan stated that he did not anticipate the phone call being broadcasted during a conversation with channel manager Kürşad Oğuz.
Meanwhile, Seda Selek, in her statement, clarified that the purpose of airing Imamoglu’s statements was to inform the public, although she couldn’t fully recall the content of the conversation. The program host, Pehlivan, mentioned that the audio recording could have been leaked after it was aired.
Selek defended the timing of the publication, stating that it coincided with Imamoglu’s statement and denied any wrongdoing. Following their detention, Selek and Serhan Asker were released by the Magistrate Criminal Judge, with conditions including a travel ban and judicial control.
On the other hand, Halk TV Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş was arrested, while Program Coordinator Kürşad Oğuz and journalist Barış Pehlivan were released with judicial control. The prosecutor’s referral letter indicated that Pehlivan’s actions, along with other suspects, aimed to evade accountability for the crime.
The letter also mentioned that the suspects acted collectively to publish the incriminating sound recording, creating public pressure against the complainant. Suat Toktaş stated that he received the recording from Oğuz, who claimed to have obtained it from Pehlivan with permission.
Overall, the article emphasized the unity of purpose among the suspects in sharing the unauthorized recording and incriminating the complainant in various activities. The investigation into this case is ongoing as authorities strive to uncover the truth behind the unauthorized phone call incident.
