Turkish police on Wednesday launched an Istanbul-based operation to arrest 68 former shareholders of Bank Asya, nabbing 49 so far, according to a police source.
The bank has links to FETO (Fetullah Terrorist Organisation), the network that orchestrated the failed July 2016 coup.
The nationwide operation was initiated by a prosecutor’s office that specifically targets former shareholders who had authority to elect their executive board and take trade-related and administrative decisions, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
The bank was recently declared bankrupt.
Gulen network targeted
The operation against the FETO-linked bank was being carried out in nine provinces.
FETO is led by Fetullah Gulen, who has been living in self-imposed exile in the US since 1999.
The July 2016 coup attempt left 250 people dead and wounded over 2,200. Gulen denies any involvement.
FETO is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.
Discussion about this post