Cem Küçük probe widens as journalist Tahir Sarıkaya detained and financial ties disclosed

Journalist Cem Küçük was arrested on charges of publicly spreading misleading information and extortion. The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Organized Crime Bureau is leading the investigation. Recent developments include the detention of Beyaz TV presenter Tahir Sarıkaya, whose bank accounts showed large, unexplained deposits and transfers to cryptocurrency wallets. Authorities identified 27 transactions totaling 537,800 Turkish lira between Küçük and Sarıkaya.

A self‑identified “secret witness” – Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, also known as ROK – is alleged to have provided testimony linking Küçük to a network of journalists. Kütahyalı’s wife, Pınar Kütahyalı, posted inflammatory comments on social media about the case. Other journalists mentioned in the probe are Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Veyis Ateş, and columnist Ahmet Hakan, who described the situation as a chain of media figures.

The secret‑witness statements claim Küçük received money to influence news coverage and used staged phone calls to create the impression of contact with intelligence officials. Küçük has denied all allegations, asserting that any financial exchanges were ordinary debt settlements or service fees.