Turkish State Broadcaster TRT Denies Claims of Withholding Financial Reports in Istanbul Municipality Case

Turkey's state broadcaster, TRT, has refuted allegations that crucial financial reports were withheld from the defense in a high-profile case involving the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). The controversy arose after Aynur Tuncel Yazgan, the lawyer for Buğra Gökçe, head of the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) and a defendant in the IMM case, stated on March 12, 2026, that her client had not received the MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) and tax inspection reports which form the basis of his detention.

Instead of a response from the court, TRT issued a statement via social media, claiming Yazgan's assertions were false and that the reports had previously been provided on a CD. However, Yazgan maintains that no such reports concerning Gökçe, who was arrested on March 23 following an operation on March 19, 2025, have ever been shared with her.

Further investigation revealed that the reports on the CD mentioned by TRT pertained to individuals and entities such as İlbak Holding, Eyüp Subaşı, and Murat Kapki. Gökçe's name or any examination of his assets were reportedly absent from these documents. Yazgan confirmed that her requests to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Criminal Judgeship of Peace for these reports in June 2025 were denied, and the indictment itself did not include them.

This situation has led to accusations that TRT, a public broadcaster, is spreading misinformation by asserting the MASAK reports were provided, despite documented rejections of the lawyer's requests. Critics argue that TRT's intervention raises serious questions about the transparency of the ongoing legal proceedings and potential infringements on the right to defense.