A judicial panel in Istanbul has authorized the release of Veyis Ates, the former general manager of the Haberturk television network, as his legal proceedings continue. Ates had been held in custody since late December 2025 following his involvement in a broad narcotics investigation that has implicated various high-profile individuals, including actors, musicians, and social media personalities. Despite facing serious allegations of drug trafficking and enabling substance use, which could result in a prison sentence of up to 40 years, the defendant maintained his innocence during his initial appearance at the Istanbul 6th High Criminal Court. The ongoing probe, which commenced in October 2025, has involved the questioning of numerous public figures and the collection of forensic evidence to determine the extent of illicit activity within the entertainment and media sectors.
Source : Turkish Minute
