Turkey: Executive facing Gulenism charges released

By Murat Asil

KAYSERI, Turkey (AA) - An executive at a Turkish holding linked to the July 15 foiled coup was released under judicial control in the central Kayseri province Thursday, a judicial source told Anadolu Agency.

Earlier on Thursday, Haci Boydak of Boydak Holding was detained in Kayseri on charges that he was a member of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and had helped finance the banned group, said the source, who spoke condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to talk to the media.

A local court in Kayseri ordered Boydak’s release due to health concerns, on the condition he not leave the Kayseri province or Turkey.

On Monday, three Boydak Holding executives – Sukru, Ilyas, and Bekir Boydak – were remanded in custody, while a court in Kayseri ordered the release of the holding's chairman, Mustafa Boydak, and another executive Halit Bayhan under judicial control.

An international travel ban was also imposed on Mustafa Boydak and Halit Bayhan.

According to the Boydak Holding website, the family-based consortium was established in 1957 and has interests in furniture, textiles, chemicals, marketing, logistics, and energy. Its 42 companies have employed more than 14,000 staff.

Turkey's government has repeatedly said the deadly July 15 coup attempt, which martyred at least 239 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, was organized by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen and its terror organization FETO.

Gulen is also accused of implementing a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary, forming what is commonly known as the parallel state.