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03.3 · TIB LEAK

THE TIB LEAK

The leak of investigation information to suspects via Turkey's telecommunications authority; the role of an adviser to the Transport Minister.

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Process

The leak mechanism

TIB (the Telecommunications Authority) ran the technical infrastructure for wiretap orders. During the investigation, information on wiretap records and decision processes was leaked from within the institution to the suspects.

The role of Ömer Sertbaş

The relationships of Ömer Sertbaş — reported to be an adviser to Transport Minister Binali Yıldırım — with TIB were filed in criminal complaints with documentary evidence. His name became the focus of the debate over how far the chain reached.

Fate of the criminal complaints

The complaints filed after the leak shared the fate of the closed investigations themselves. No prosecutor seriously investigated the leak; non-prosecution orders were issued.

Legal consequence

The leak via TIB — had it been proven — would have constituted "breach of investigation confidentiality" and "abuse of public office" under the Turkish Penal Code. Because the investigations were closed, no judicial finding was possible.