Lawyer rejects alleged Gülen remarks published by leftist daily


Date posted: October 11, 2013

The lawyer of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has denied alleged remarks made by his client against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) that were published by a leftist daily on Oct. 9.

The leftist Birgün daily published the transcript of an alleged audio recording, which the newspaper claims belongs to Gülen and which was first released by a hacker group, Roj Hack, on the Internet.

Gülen’s lawyer, Orhan Erdemli, refuted the allegations, saying the Islamic scholar did not issue any statement about ruling AK Party and pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies, let alone one intended to “create political disorder,” as the daily report claimed.

According to Birgün’s report, Gülen told his followers that the AK Party is ruled by the cemaat — a term is used to refer to the Gülen movement in Turkey — and ordered his disciples to disseminate disinformation and negative speculations about the BDP deputies to discredit them in the eyes of the public.

“All of the claims about Gülen are groundless and fabricated. Unlike what was claimed in the daily report, my client hasn’t held any press conference or issued any such remarks. It is impossible to accept these kinds of reports, which clearly have no relation to responsible and objective journalism, within the scope of press freedom,” Erdemli said in a statement, accusing Birgün of carrying out a smear campaign against Gülen.

Source: Today's Zaman , October 11, 2013


Related News

The confidence crisis and remaining wounds

I have long been pondering on some questions which are bugging everyone. When an appointed prosecutor launches an investigation into appointed bureaucrats and MİT members’ activities involving a terrorist organization, why should this be described as a “civilian coup”? BÜLENT KENEŞ, Thursday February 23, 2012 While on my way to work on Thursday morning, a […]

At home and abroad, Erdogan shoots himself in the foot

On Wednesday, for instance, Erdoğan described members of the Hizmet movement, who are mostly inspired by Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, as an “opposing side” due to their opposition to the closure of prep schools. Erdoğan’s categorization sparked outrage, primarily because the movement has been known as staunch supporters of the government.

Erdogan critic calls jailing of his mother and brother ‘perverse’ and ‘politically motivated’

A high-profile critic of the Turkish government has described the jailing of his 75-year-old mother and brother to a combined 91-year sentence as “ludicrous” and “perverse”. Akin Ipek said the ‘human rights abuses’ against his family were unacceptable in any civilised country.

Helping hands to Kosova

Turkey extended a helping hand to Kosova, the ninth poorest country of the world, through Kimse Yok Mu Relief Foundation. Responding to cries of the orphans in the country, which gained independence in 2008, Kimse Yok Mu Relief Foundation distributed a variety of supplies ranging from sewing machines to goreceries, stationeries to toys. Aids have been distributed to those who became widows and orphans for the sake of their country’s independence. Among volunteers, there were Mujgan Koralturk, who plays Dilan character in the famous series ‘Tek Turkiye’, and Aslihan Erkisi, a famous vocal artist.

Albanian lawmakers reject Erdoğan’s call to close Turkish schools

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s call for the closure of Turkish schools in Albania unleashed a swirl of debate in the Albanian political and media landscape, leading to intensified pressure on the government to clarify its position and Education Minister Lindita Nikolla saying that the government has already shut down a number of schools regarded as unfit according to criteria set in a recent education reform.

Survey shows Turkish gov’t seized at least $11 billion of company assets over Gülen links

Turkish government has transferred about 49,4 billion liras ($11 billion) of assets of 1,124 companies seized from those who have alleged affiliation to the Gülen movement to a special fund under a crackdown that began following a controversial coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Self-exiled Islamic scholar Gülen rejects Khomeini analogy for potential return to Turkey

Students of Turkish school in Iraq learn four languages

Gulen Movement, civilian governments and the AK Party

Turkey coup attempt: Number of people detained passes 26,000 amid international concern over crackdown

Turks Fleeing Persecution Find Haven in South Africa

‘Gulen Movement is a civil society movement, rather than a religious one’

Turkey confiscates $billions worth more than 200 companies in operations targeting Gülen

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News