Ustel Denies Audio Recording Targeting Him, Calls It ‘Fabricated Political Attack’

In a written statement issued on Tuesday, Ustel said the recording was not a simple smear attempt but a planned political attack aimed at himself, his office, the government, the state and democracy.

“The so-called audio recording circulated today and targeting me is entirely false, baseless and fabricated,” Ustel said. “This operation is not merely a defamation attempt; it is a planned political attack against my person, my office, our government, our state and our democracy.”

He stressed that the content had been manipulated and montaged to create public perception and carry out what he described as political engineering.

“I state clearly and unequivocally: the recording in question is not real. Through this manipulated content, an attempt is being made to shape public opinion,” he said, adding that no one acting with a sense of state responsibility would step back in the face of such provocations.

Ustel drew attention to the timing of the release, noting that it came just before his visit to Turkey, which he said was not a coincidence.

“The aim is to cast a shadow over the strong and strategic relations we maintain with our motherland, Turkey, and to question the unbreakable bond between our states,” he said. “But this nation has never surrendered to such dirty games, neither in the past nor today.”

Rejecting allegations of any past involvement in illicit dealings, Ustel said he had never been part of “dirty bargains, dark relationships or interest-based initiatives” at any stage of his life, whether 10 or 30 years ago.

He underlined that those who deliberately produced and spread the recording, or contributed to its circulation in any way, would face legal action.

“All necessary legal steps will be taken urgently. Official criminal complaints will be filed and the process will be followed meticulously. I have full confidence in our police and judicial authorities. The truth will be revealed in all its aspects in the shortest possible time,” he said.

Ustel concluded by saying the incident was not only an attack on him personally but also an attempt to undermine the will of the people, the reputation of the state and the dignity of politics.

“We are on duty. We will pursue the requirements of the law to the end and will never allow politics to be shaped through character assassination,” he said. “The truth will eventually emerge, and we will continue to stand firmly on the side of truth.”