Turkish PM slams media organs instead of investigating fraud claims

In the ongoing case, a German expert witness earlier said that some 7 million euros was transferred to the Deniz Feneri organization’s Turkey office, as well as 1.8 million euros to Beyaz Holding from the organizations subsidiary operating in Germany and there was no information regarding the remainder of the donated funds. Evidence also exists that the organizations executives were handed millions of euros in cash according to the expert witness report.

The Turkish premier slammed Dogan Group instead of responding to the claims made by German authorities and said, "My name is being involved in the things related with Deniz Feneri. Was there any money delivered to me as Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan? How dare you associate our name?"

A legal case was filed against the charity, Deniz Feneri, based in Germany on charges of making illegal financial transactions to conservative media organs in Turkey, of fraud and money laundering.

In the indictment, file number 6350 Js 203391/06, submitted in the case of the Deniz Feneri e.V’s subsidiary in Germany, currently being tried in the Frankfurt District Court, it is stressed that the “Turkish government has attempted to effect the case many times.” What is more, the general manager of Euro 7 says that he took money to deliver to the Turkish prime minister in order to pass on to tsunami survivors.”

Erdogan also criticized Dogan Group harshly since the group's media organs published news regarding this issue and claimed that this act was due to Group's land issue which he refused to help to solve.

In a response to premier's accusations, Aydın Dogan, chairman of Dogan Group, said Saturday it was not media organs making these allegations but a German court. He also added the prime minister's acts were seen as a serious concern restricting the freedom of the press.

Dogan Holding, ranking among Turkey's top three conglomerates, investing in six major business areas: energy, media, industry, trade, insurance, and tourism. Dogan Group also owns Dogan Yayin Holding, operating in TV and radio broadcasting and print and online media. The company owns Turkey's leading newspapers Milliyet, Vatan, Radikal, as well as Hurriyet daily.

PM CONTINUES TO CRITICIZE

Erdogan continued on Sunday his criticism of Aydin Dogan and the Dogan Group and denied the allegations made in the group’s media.

He said the reason for Dogan Group’s impatience and the media attack stems from a terrestrial broadcast request made by the group’s news broadcaster, CNNTurk.

“Does pronouncing the head of Turkey’s media watchdog, Zahid Akman, guilty from the outset have any relation with this issue?” said Erdogan, adding that he knew the reasons behind the media assault and would make them clear if the Dogan Group refuses to explain its actions.

Erdogan said the group and its media organs had one week to clear up the issue.

"I hope this issue comes to an end through the publication of the facts before next week and that there is nothing left for us to clear up at the weekend," Erdogan added.

Two suspects indicted in the Deniz Feneri Charity fraud case have claimed that high level Turkish officials, including Zahid Akman, the head of Turkey’s media watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK), were involved in the deception, the Dogan Group's media organs reported this week.

A foreigners’ office in Germany had banned Akman from entering the country in 2007 for five years following claims he committed a financial crime, Hurriyet daily wrote on Friday.