TÜSİAD Leaders Face Indictment for Allegedly Influencing Judiciary
tusiad
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has completed an indictment against TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan and High Advisory Council Chair Mehmet Ömer Arif Aras, charging them with “attempting to influence a fair trial” and “publicly spreading misleading information.”
The charges stem from their critical remarks made during and after TÜSİAD’s February 13, 2025 general assembly, in which they allegedly commented on various political, legal, and judicial issues without full knowledge of the cases—ranging from natural disasters and corruption investigations to the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Key Allegations in the Indictment
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Turan and Aras are accused of creating public distrust by claiming a lack of rule of law and judicial independence.
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Prosecutors argue they used their positions within TÜSİAD to disseminate influential and misleading information.
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Their statements allegedly manipulated public opinion and jeopardized the impartiality of judges, prosecutors, and legal experts.
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The indictment claims the remarks undermined legal certainty and eroded public confidence in the judiciary.
Legal Action and Charges
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The prosecution demands judicial fines of no less than 50 days for attempting to interfere with judicial processes.
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They also seek prison sentences of up to 5 years and 6 months under charges of “knowingly spreading false public information”.
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The case was transferred to the Istanbul 28th Criminal Court of First Instance, linked to another pending file on the same matter.
Background
The investigation began shortly after TÜSİAD’s general assembly, where Turan and Aras issued sharp criticism of the government’s governance and judiciary. Both were summoned for testimony under police escort on February 19, then released under judicial control and travel bans on February 20.
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