Doğan rules out media claims over POAŞ

ISTANBUL

Doğan Holding has ruled out claims in some media reports over an inspection on the acquisition of its former Petrol Ofisi A.Ş. (POAŞ), the gas retailer, some 15 years ago, saying that the holding has fulfilled all the requirements in former operations.

Aydın Doğan, the honorary chairman of Doğan Holding, testified to Prosecutor Adem Meral, who inspected some of POAŞ’s import operations, confirming the reports, but adding it was linked to any claims of tax irregularities or evasion. 

“It became a necessity for us to make a statement to inform the public over the media reports that aim to create a negative perception [on the holding] with exaggerated  comments,” the statement by Ahter Kutadgu, the deputy president of Doğan Holding responsible of corporate communication, said. 

No indictment was prepared on the inspection, the statement read, highlighting that Aydın Doğan was not at the board of the company at the time and did not have any posts during the inspected period.
 
An audit report, the base of the inspection, said no tax losses for the treasury, thus the situation “cannot be defined as a tax evasion,” the statement added. 

It also rejected the claim that businessman Hayyam Garipoğlu was a complainant in the inspection some 15 years after the acquisition, adding the business man had nothing to do with the matter.

“Mr. Aydın Doğan, other members of the Doğan family and all Doğan executives see it as a task to undertake all their responsibilities for justice to be served as always,” it concluded.