Censorship on main opposition CHP MP lifted, 153 news reports still access blocked

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After Republican People's Party (CHP) İzmir MP Murat Bakan lodged an appeal, a criminal judgeship of peace in İzmir province has removed the access block imposed on a news article on his website.

The related article was about Karaburun Sub-Governor Serap Özmen Çetin, who purchased an agricultural land and allegedly enabled it to be zoned for construction. An access block was imposed on 154 news reports about this allegation, including the one posted by Bakan.

After Bakan lodged an appeal via his attorney, the İzmir 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, which blocked the news to access, has removed the access block on the news published on muratbakan.com.tr.

The court ruling has said that "the related content was about his activities in the capacity of an MP and within the frame of legislative activities". Finding the appeal justified, the judgeship has lifted the access block.

'Truth cannot be twisted, facts cannot be hidden'

Speaking about the issue, CHP's Murat Bakan has said:

"People's right to information and freedom of press cannot be hindered; it derives its power from the Constitution, journalists, professional ethics and people. An MP's power of inspection and legislative activities cannot be hindered; it derives its power from the Constitution, Parliamentary Bylaw, conscience and people. Truth cannot be twisted, facts cannot be hidden.

"We will keep the allegations on the agenda until the truth is brought to light. The Karaburun Sub-Governor should not forget this.

"We are also curious about the result of the inquiry and examination launched by İzmir Governor's Office, which appointed an investigator to 'ensure that the issue is brought to light with all parties and aspects and the public is correctly informed.' It has been more than two months since then. We expect the public to be informed about the issue as well."

What happened?

After Serap Özmen Çetin entered into office as the Karaburun Sub-Governor last December, some allegations were made about her purchase of a 1,347-square meter land in Mordoğan Çatalkaya area.

It was alleged that after Karaburun district in İzmir province was declared a "Special Environmental Protection Zone" by a Presidential decision dated March 15, 2019, Sub-Governor Özmen Çetin bought a land indicated as a building land in the title deed, but recognized as an agricultural land in the current city development plan; she allegedly had a permit for construction granted to build a "Salted Olive Facility" and "house" in the land which she bought at a time when all current development plans were suspended by the Presidential decision and she later sold the land in question.

Main opposition CHP İzmir MP Murat Bakan took the issue to the Parliamentary agenda by addressing a Parliamentary question to Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu and asked, "Do you have any explanation about these allegations concerning Karaburun Sub-Governor Serap Özmen Çetin? Was / will a judicial and administrative investigation be launched against Sub-Governor Serap Özmen Çetin regarding the allegations of improper personal benefit by misconduct in office?" (HA/SD)