The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has accepted the indictment against TÜSİAD Board Chairman Orhan Turan and High Advisory Council (YIK) Chairman Mehmet Ömer Aras regarding their statements made during the association’s general assembly. After reviewing the indictment, the court decided to proceed with the legal process to determine whether the defendants should be punished.
The Istanbul 28th Criminal Court of First Instance announced that the first hearing for the case against Orhan Turan and Mehmet Ömer Aras will take place on May 20. The indictment claims that during their speeches at the TÜSİAD General Assembly on February 13, the defendants aimed to influence and manipulate the judiciary.
Indictment Claims Defendants Spread Misleading and Disinformation
The indictment states that the defendants provided false and misleading information about the legal security and judicial independence in Turkey. It is also alleged that in their speeches, they made statements designed to create social unrest regarding legal procedures such as arrests and trustee appointments. These statements are claimed to have been spread in a manner contrary to the truth in order to manipulate public opinion.
It was also highlighted in the indictment that Aras’ speech was published in both written and visual forms on TÜSİAD’s official website. The indictment pointed out that the statements made by the defendants were directly related to sensitive areas such as public security, internal and external security, and health.
Charges and Requested Sentences
The indictment claims that Turan and Aras intentionally spread misleading information through the press and media, aiming to disrupt public peace. The prosecution requests sentences ranging from 1 year, 10 months, and 15 days to 5 years, 6 months, and 15 days for the defendants. Additionally, a separate investigation has been launched for the crime of « attempting to influence fair trials, » which is still ongoing.
These developments are turning into a closely monitored legal process within Turkey’s business and legal communities.
