Turkish Footballer's Legal Team Fights Media Lynch Campaign
The legal representatives of Turkish footballer Mert Hakan Yandaş have issued a strong statement condemning what they describe as a systematic violation of constitutional rights and due process in the ongoing betting investigation case.
Lawyers Mert Özel and Cem Uysaler, representing the Fenerbahçe player who was arrested as part of a betting probe, have raised serious concerns about media leaks and the presumption of innocence.
Constitutional Rights Under Attack
"The lynch campaign conducted against a person whose guilt has not yet been proven and who has not yet been tried is a clear violation of the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution," the lawyers stated in their written declaration.
The legal team particularly criticized the unauthorized disclosure of confidential investigation materials, describing it as "unacceptable" and a breach of legal protocol. They argue these leaks serve not to ensure justice, but to create a predetermined narrative of guilt.
Financial Claims Disputed
The statement challenges media reports regarding their client's income, arguing that "the income our client has obtained within the scope of sports activities has been misrepresented to the public in an unrealistic manner, even expressed in hundreds of millions of lira, by associating it with betting."
This misrepresentation, according to the lawyers, demonstrates a deliberate attempt to distort public perception and damage their client's reputation.
Selective Media Coverage Alleged
Perhaps most significantly, the legal team alleges that crucial evidence demonstrating their client's loyalty has been deliberately omitted from media coverage. They cite a statement where Yandaş declared: "Fenerbahçe always wins, regardless of who the opponent is; this is not even a matter to be bet on."
"Strangely, the parts that demonstrate our client's unwavering loyalty to Fenerbahçe have been deliberately edited out and hidden from the public," the lawyers noted, suggesting a coordinated effort to present only damaging information.
Legal Action Threatened
The legal team has announced their intention to pursue all available legal remedies against individuals and institutions they claim have violated investigation confidentiality and attacked their client's personal rights.
The case highlights broader concerns about media ethics, the presumption of innocence, and the proper conduct of criminal investigations in high-profile cases. The lawyers maintain confidence that "the material truth will emerge as a result of the investigation to be conducted."
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues its investigation, while the legal battle over media coverage and due process rights intensifies.