Deniz Tekin
Journalist Aslıhan Gençay is facing a new investigation over a news report that alleged corruption and misconduct in Turkey's Hatay province. Gençay, who has been targeted by SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) cases, stated, "They are trying to silence and intimidate me with these cases because I expose corruption and refuse to stay quiet."
The investigation stems from Gençay's 2024 article titled “Bounty hunters or Hatay’s respectable businesspeople?” The report detailed claims that some business figures in Hatay were coerced into debt and subsequently had their assets and businesses confiscated unlawfully.
Complaint prompts access ban and investigation
Following the publication, Aydın Toksöz, Tugay Toksöz, and Önder Parlakyıldız, named in the article, filed complaints with the Hatay Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. They alleged the report was false and defamatory, damaging their reputations. Additionally, they accused Gençay of attempting to influence the upcoming local elections by undermining candidates’ credibility.
The complainants requested a court order to block access to the article and initiated legal action against Gençay on charges of “unlawfully obtaining personal data,” “spreading misleading information to the public,” and “defamation.” Acting on the prosecutor’s request, the Hatay Criminal Judgeship of Peace issued a decision to block access to the report.
Gençay defends her work
On Jan. 2, 2025, Gençay appeared at a police station with her lawyer to provide a statement. Rejecting the allegations, she stated, “I did not violate anyone’s personal rights or defame anyone. My report is accurate and verified.” She further accused the Toksöz brothers of attempting to intimidate her sources and disclosed that Sedat Aslan had threatened her. “They’re trying to create fear by questioning, ‘Who is feeding information to Aslıhan Gençay?’” she said, adding that she had filed her own complaints against those undermining her credibility and threatening her sources.
Claims of threats and a smear campaign
Gençay explained that her reporting was based on information provided by residents of Hatay and Samandağ, who trusted her with details of corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, threats, and misconduct related to the region’s earthquake recovery efforts. She said her investigative work had unsettled those involved, leading to threats and attempts to discredit her.
“I was threatened by the mafia and individuals linked to Hatay Mayor Lütfü Savaş. When threats failed, they labeled me a ‘terrorist,’ distributed posters with my image, and launched a smear campaign, but none of it worked,” Gençay recounted. She claimed these efforts intensified after the local elections, as her reporting was blamed for certain defeats. “All I did was verify and publish information provided by the public. That’s journalism,” she said.
'They aim to intimidate me with lawsuits, but I will continue'
Gençay disclosed that she had been summoned for questioning three times in different investigations linked to complaints from individuals named in her reports. She characterized these legal challenges as attempts to suppress her reporting.
“Now, unable to buy or silence me, they’re using lawsuits to intimidate me. More cases will surely follow,” she said. “But I will continue exposing corruption, theft, and abuse of public trust, regardless of who is behind it. As always, I will stand with the people, the just, and the oppressed, without aligning myself with any political party.”
