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2 clusters · 26 sources · 3 days · First seen 5 days ago · Last updated 2 days ago

Habertürk executives drug and criminal organization trials

Overview

Legal proceedings have commenced in Istanbul involving former Habertürk TV executives regarding allegations of drug trafficking, facilitating drug use, and organized crime.

In the trial of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the former Editor-in-Chief, Ersoy and six others face charges including managing a criminal organization and sexual assault. The indictment alleges that Ersoy organized events where drugs were provided and victims were coerced into sexual encounters. Ersoy admitted to personal drug use but denied trafficking, organized crime, or sexual assault, claiming allegations were based on past personal relationships. The court ordered his continued detention.

In a related proceeding, Abdurrahman Veyis Ateş, the former General Manager of Habertürk, was released from custody following his first hearing. Ateş, who had been detained since late 2025, denied charges of facilitating drug use and trafficking. During the hearing, Ersoy provided testimony via SEGBIS that diverged from previous statements, noting that while Ateş had brought drugs to a 2019 gathering, he did not pressure others to use them. The trial for Ateş has been postponed until November 27, 2026.

Entities

Mehmet Akif Ersoy · Veyis Ateş · Habertürk · Habertürk TV · Istanbul 19th High Criminal Court

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 17 SOURCES] The court ordered the continued detention of Mehmet Akif Ersoy and Mustafa Manaz. www.karsmanset.com · www.izgazete.net · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · boldmedya.com · dokuz8haber.net · +12 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Ersoy is charged with establishing and managing a criminal organization, 11 counts of qualified sexual assault, and drug trafficking or facilitating drug use. www.karsmanset.com · www.izgazete.net · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · boldmedya.com · dokuz8haber.net · +9 more
[● 13 SOURCES] Mehmet Akif Ersoy faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 11 years and 3 months to 286 years and 2 months. www.karsmanset.com · www.izgazete.net · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · boldmedya.com · dokuz8haber.net · +8 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The indictment identifies 11 women as victims in the case. www.karsmanset.com · www.izgazete.net · boldmedya.com · www.mersinhaber.com · www.yenimesaj.com.tr · +4 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The court initially ordered the hearing to be closed to the press and public, though this restriction was later lifted. www.izgazete.net · boldmedya.com · dokuz8haber.net · www.gazetepencere.com · www.sondakika.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The investigation was triggered by a report made to the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command on November 2, 2025. www.mersinhaber.com · www.yenimesaj.com.tr · www.aydinlik.com.tr · www.f5haber.com · www.yenicaggazetesi.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The court ordered the release of defendant Ufuk Tetik. www.karsmanset.com · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · www.gzt.com · www.yenicaggazetesi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Mehmet Akif Ersoy admitted to using drugs 15 times over an eight-year period. www.karsmanset.com · www.haberts.com · www.gzt.com

Timeline

2 days ago

[CRIME] 17 sources
Mehmet Akif Ersoy trial begins in Istanbul
The trial of former journalist Mehmet Akif Ersoy has begun in Istanbul. He faces charges of managing a criminal organization, drug trafficking, and 11 counts of sexual assault. Ersoy remains in detention.
5 days ago

[CRIME] 10 sources
Veyis Ateş released from custody in drug trafficking trial
Former Habertürk executive Veyis Ateş has been released from custody during his first drug trafficking trial in Istanbul, after witness Mehmet Akif Ersoy clarified his previous testimony.

Sources

aksam.com.tr · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · aydinlik.com.tr · boldmedya.com · diken.com.tr · dokuz8haber.net · f5haber.com · gazetepencere.com · gzt.com · haber.sol.org.tr · haberts.com · halktv.com.tr · indyturk.com · internethaber.com · karsmanset.com · koganpage.com · medyahaber.com · mersinhaber.com · odatv.com · odatv4.com · sailinglifeb.wordpress.com · sondakika.com · sonhaber.com.tr · vicarious.com.au · yenicaggazetesi.com.tr · yenimesaj.com.tr