Journalist Nedim Şener's past praise for aid group clashes with current criticism

Turkish journalist Nedim Şener is under fire for what critics describe as a stark contradiction in his public statements concerning aid organizations and government contractors, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.

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Your enmity towards the government, your enmity towards Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has led you to become enemies of the state. That's why you supported AHBAP.

Şener, known for his pro-government stance, recently targeted citizens who supported the Ahbap aid organization following the February 6 earthquakes. He characterized public support for Ahbap as a direct political stance against the ruling party and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. "Your enmity towards the government, your enmity towards Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has led you to become enemies of the state. That's why you supported AHBAP," Şener stated during a broadcast. He further asserted that animosity towards the AK Party or the People's Alliance had blinded some individuals.

In the same broadcast, Şener defended the government's reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-stricken regions. He specifically mentioned Murat Kurum, a former minister, and questioned whether any corruption allegations had surfaced regarding the construction of 450,000 homes. Şener described the contractors working in the region as performing "national service," stating, "The contractors there also worked as a service to the nation. The workers viewed it that way."

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The contractors there also worked as a service to the nation. The workers viewed it that way.

These recent statements stand in sharp contrast to Şener's social media posts from February 2023, shortly after the earthquakes. On February 13, 2023, he shared a photo with musician and philanthropist Haluk Levent, head of Ahbap, urging the public not to attack him. "Haluk Levent's aid efforts in cooperation with the state are valuable for this country," Şener wrote, suggesting that some were trying to create a negative perception of Levent's work. "Do not feed him to them."

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Haluk Levent's aid efforts in cooperation with the state are valuable for this country. ... Do not feed him to them.

Further posts from February 14 and 15, 2023, show Şener defending Levent and another public figure, Oğuzhan Uğur, against accusations. He argued that they would not pose a threat to the state, stating, "There is no rivalry with the state, no enmity towards the state from @haluklevent and @OguzhanUgur... To think otherwise is to underestimate the Turkish Republic."

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There is no rivalry with the state, no enmity towards the state from @haluklevent and @OguzhanUgur... To think otherwise is to underestimate the Turkish Republic.