21 October 2009 / TODAY'S ZAMAN WITH WIRES, ANKARA
Turkey's tax authority has removed the lien on the Doğan Yayın Holding's bank accounts which had been placed against fines totaling TL 914.8 million over alleged tax evasion discovered in February. The lien was lifted after Doğan Yayın sent a letter of guarantee from a bank of an amount equal to the company's assets in its bank accounts.
The Halkalı Tax Office had asked Doğan Yayın Holding to present guarantees for the fine and upon the company's failure to abide by the request, the Finance Ministry placed liens against all of the company's subsidiaries, which include Hürriyet Gazetecilik, Doğan Gazetecilik, Doğan Burda magazine and Doğan TV Holding. The company was fined for allegedly illegal business practices and tax evasion for the fiscal years of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.