Report on tapes prepared outside but signed by TÜBİTAK

Experts have strongly criticized a report by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) stating that a voice recording between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his son Bilal suggesting that the two were attempting to hide unknown amounts of cash in their family home was a "montage,” saying the report was far from scientific and is instead politically motivated.
Hasan Palaz, a former vice president of TÜBİTAK, told Today's Zaman that the three people who prepared the report are not specialists in determining the authenticity of recordings, adding: "Most probably, the report was prepared outside of TÜBİTAK and was just signed by the institution. This can be determined by both the content of the report and its wording."

Palaz, who was forced to leave his post following the Dec. 17 corruption scandal, said he had refused to falsify a report on the issue of a bugging device that was allegedly found in Erdoğan's home, adding: "So far, more than 90 TÜBİTAK employees have been removed from their posts. Almost 30 high-ranking managers were dismissed, and others still face serious pressure. All those officials who could write a report on the recordings were fired. A real witch-hunt is being conducted in the institution."

Palaz said he refused to be a scientist who obeys the political authority, specifically referring to an order to draft a report saying the recordings were not genuine.

Read full articel at Today's Zaman: Expert: Report on tapes prepared outside but signed by TÜBİTAK