TV chief answers in case of charity

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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The head of the Supreme Board of Radio and Television, or RTÜK, was questioned by an Ankara prosecutor as part of the Lighthouse e.V. case Monday, reports said yesterday.

Vatan daily reported that RTÜK Chairman Zahid Akman was questioned for an hour and a half as part of the investigation into accusations leveled against him by German authorities.

The case involves the illegal channeling of donations collected from Turks living in Germany by the Lighthouse e.V. charity to certain businesses in Turkey. It is seen as the biggest corruption case involving a charity organization in German history. German authorities have already sentenced three Lighthouse e.V. executives to various sentences for their culpability, but the German court that sentenced them said the "real culprits" were in Turkey. The Lighthouse trial began Sept. 1 and concluded 17 days later. The court sentenced three of the 18 suspects for misappropriating 18 million euros of the 40 million euros collected by the organization.

Akman and Karaman accused by Germans

Akman and Kanal 7 Executive Board Chairman Zekeriye Karaman, both of whom have close links to the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, were listed by the German authorities as some of the individuals involved in the fraud.

Akman’s questioning was the result of a complaint submitted by the Workers’ Party, or İP, when the affair first surfaced last year. The Ankara prosecutor questioned Akman while the documents sent by German authorities upon demand were still being translated. Akman may be questioned once the translation is finished, reported Vatan. Akman, who arrived at the prosecutor’s office with his lawyer, did not respond to questions as he left. German authorities are investigating 16 people, including Akman and Karaman, who they believe have links to Lighthouse e.V. in Turkey and have sent a request for financial information and testimonies from the individuals. The German request is currently at another prosecutor’s office.

According to Habertürk newspaper, Akman is being accused of being a "courier" in the channeling of Lighthouse e.V. funds.