Turkish police clash with supporters of Fethullah Gulen
Turkish police have clashed with demonstrators protesting against a recent seizure of a conglomerate linked to Turkey’s US-based cleric, Muhammed Fethullah Gulen, whom the government in Ankara regards as an opponent of the president.
Fierce clashes between police and demonstrators erupted when the government-appointed trustees tried to enter the headquarters of Koza-Ipek Group in the capital, Ankara, on Tuesday.
Police fired tear gas to disperse the protesters outside the headquarters. “We will not be silenced,” the protesters chanted.
A similar demonstration was held in Istanbul.
On Monday, a Turkish court appointed a board of trustees to manage Koza-Ipek Group after seizing its 21 companies. Koza-Ipek’s businesses include media, energy and construction. The conglomerate also owns famous channels including Kanalturk and Bugun.
Among the trustees appointed to manage the group’s media companies were former executives of the pro-government Turkuvaz Media Group.
The office of Ankara’s chief prosecutor has said the seizure was linked to an ongoing probe into the conglomerate on suspicion of “terror financing” and “terror propaganda.” The office accused the group of supporting Gulen’s Hizmet (Service) movement.
Reacting to the statement, Koza-Ipek CEO Akin Ipek denounced the move as “politically motivated,” saying the government took action after failing to find anything illegal during inspections.
Ipek said in an interview on Monday that the campaign targeting his group was launched after he refused to join a pool of funds contributed by pro-government businessmen in return for favors in the form of public tenders.
Political opponents say the seizure comes as part of a crackdown on followers of Gulen.
The preacher is regarded as an outspoken opponent of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his policies.
Erdogan has accused Gulen and his followers of plotting to overthrow the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), a charge Gulen denies.
Hundreds of people, believed to be sympathizers of Gulen, many of them members of the police and the judiciary, have been arrested as the government intensifies a crackdown ahead of the November 1 snap elections, where the AKP seeks to restore its majority in the parliament.
The cleric, who left for the United States in 1999, is set to be tried in absentia on January 6.
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