EYLEM SONBAHAR
Former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım's request to join the 'SaBıKa Holding' case as a plaintiff, due to potential harm from the crime, has been accepted. The case involves journalists Barış Pehlivan and Ozan Alper Yurtoğlu, who are being prosecuted for their reports on the brochure published by the Republican People's Party (CHP).
The seventh hearing of the trial, held at Istanbul 15th Criminal Court of First Instance, addressed the CHP brochure that highlighted alleged money laundering activities and connections between politics, business, and the judiciary. The session was attended by the defendants' lawyer, Özge Naz Akkaya, though the journalists themselves were absent.
Lawyer Akkaya pointed out that individuals listed as “complainants” in the indictment were incorrectly marked as “witnesses” in the National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP), requesting a correction. The judge confirmed that the error had been rectified and denied the request.
The court also discussed Binali Yıldırım's request to join the case. Accepting the possibility of harm from the alleged crime, the court approved Yıldırım and his lawyer's participation in the trial. The hearing was adjourned to September 26 to address pending issues.
About the case
The case revolves around a column by Barış Pehlivan in Cumhuriyet newspaper, which reported on a CHP brochure titled "SaBıKa Holding: A Story of Black Money, Politics, and Judiciary." The brochure focused on Sezgin Baran Korkmaz, who is under investigation in both Turkey and the U.S. for money laundering. The article led to charges against Pehlivan and former Managing Editor Ozan Alper Yurtoğlu for "insulting the president" and "insulting a public official."
The indictment names President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Süleyman Soylu, Egemen Bağış, Binali Yıldırım, Esat Toklu, İrfan Fidan, Tekmen Savaş Nemli, Hasan Yılmaz, İsmail Demir, and Korkmaz Karaca as victims.
The CHP brochure alleged that Korkmaz operated shell companies in Turkey and the U.S., managed money laundering operations, committed fraud with money from the U.S., and used illicit funds to gain political influence. The brochure also mentioned connections to prominent figures, including President Erdoğan, former minister Egemen Bağış, former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, former minister Mehmet Ağar, and former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım.
