Last Minute Release: Murat Ağırl and Timur Soykan granted judicial control
Journalists Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan Released with Judicial Control
Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan, journalists from Flash Haber TV, were detained this morning on charges of ‘threat’ and ‘blackmail’. The investigation, conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, was initiated as part of the crimes of ‘Opposition to Law No. 7258’ and ‘Laundering Assets caused by crime’. The allegations were related to their involvement in the transfer and acquisition process of the TV channel.
According to the referral letter prepared by the prosecutor’s office, the suspects were accused of engaging in ‘illegal betting’ news and social media shares in an attempt to prevent the purchase of the TV channel by another party. Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan were detained in the morning and after safety procedures, they were brought before the Magistrate Criminal Judiciary with a request for arrest for ‘blackmail’.
However, the journalists were released with judicial control following the proceedings. The court deemed that they did not pose a flight risk or danger to society. The investigation into the allegations against them is ongoing.
The case highlights the challenges faced by journalists in Turkey, where press freedom has been increasingly under threat. It also raises questions about the use of legal measures to silence dissenting voices in the media. As the story develops, it will be important to monitor how these issues are addressed and resolved in the Turkish legal system.
