Nalin Öztekin
Journalist Elif Akkuş, who has faced multiple investigations since being suspended from her role at Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT, is now seeing her legal battle expand to her attorney. TRT has filed a criminal complaint against her lawyer, Hüseyin Ersöz, accusing him of “violating the confidentiality of the investigation.”
Akkuş, a veteran war correspondent who worked at TRT for 25 years, was suspended in 2023 following allegations that she was behind posts on an anonymous X account accusing TRT of nepotism. Since then, she has faced a series of administrative and criminal cases, including two criminal trials, four administrative lawsuits, and a civil case. She was also arrested and later released twice. Now, TRT’s complaint against Ersöz adds another layer to the protracted legal battle.
From disciplinary inquiry to criminal cases
TRT launched a disciplinary investigation against Akkuş, initially based on the claim that she was responsible for X posts alleging nepotism within the organization. This process led to her suspension and a criminal complaint being filed with the prosecutor’s office. However, prosecutors ruled that there was no basis for criminal charges. Despite this, multiple investigations and court cases against Akkuş continued.
Police informed of arrest before prosecutor’s decision
One of the cases against Akkuş took an unusual turn during her trial at Ankara’s 13th Criminal Court of First Instance. While she was giving her statement via a video conferencing system (SEGBİS), a police officer entered the room and said, “There is an order for your arrest; I am here for that.” However, when the prosecutor was informed, he responded, “There is no such decision for now; let the officer wait outside.”
At the time, Akkuş was battling a serious health issue. Despite this, she was taken into custody immediately after giving her statement from a hospital room, while still lying on a stretcher. A court later overturned the arrest order, leading to her release.
War-time expenses investigated years later
Beyond the nepotism allegations, TRT’s Inspection Board also launched a retrospective audit of expenses Akkuş incurred while covering the civil wars in Libya and Syria. The matter was taken to court and is currently being heard in a closed session at Ankara’s 34th High Criminal Court.
Ersöz highlighted the extraordinary nature of this investigation, stating, “Expenses incurred during war coverage were examined years later during peacetime, with TRT officials even traveling to Libya for their inquiry. In an unprecedented move, the Inspection Board’s president and two auditors also went to Jerusalem to interview a witness.”
Witness testimony undermines allegations
In a separate case, Akkuş was initially arrested on embezzlement charges but was released after witnesses testified in her favor during the first hearing. Ersöz noted that journalists, cameramen, administrative staff, and a deputy general manager testified, and their statements contradicted the allegations against Akkuş.
“Since the hearings are closed to the public, I cannot disclose witness names or details, but their testimony directly refuted the claims made in the Inspection Board’s report on Akkuş,” Ersöz said.
Cameramen who testified face investigation
According to Ersöz, TRT has taken further action against individuals supporting Akkuş’s defense.
“TRT filed complaints against cameramen who testified in court, and prosecutors have now launched investigations against them. TRT’s lawyers confirmed this during a hearing in January. Additionally, a photograph of Akkuş was posted at TRT’s entrance security booth with a sign stating she was banned from entering. What we are witnessing is a total campaign against her,” he said.
Targeting the defense
Ersöz described TRT’s complaint against him as part of a broader effort to intimidate those involved in Akkuş’s defense.
“This sends a clear message to journalists within TRT: anyone who falls out of favor with management will face severe consequences. It also demonstrates how internal democracy and pluralism have eroded at the institution,” he said.
Regarding the complaint against him, Ersöz stated, “This is an attempt to pressure the defense team. When we assess this latest move in the context of the broader legal violations Akkuş has faced, it becomes clear that this is part of the same pattern.”
The legal proceedings against Akkuş continue in Ankara’s 13th Criminal Court of First Instance and Istanbul’s Anadolu 28th Civil Court, with closed hearings taking place at Ankara’s 34th High Criminal Court.
