Turkish executive facing Gulenism charges remanded

By Murat Asil
KAYSERI, Turkey

An executive at a Turkish holding alleged to have links to the July 15 foiled coup was remanded in custody Friday after having been released under judicial control Thursday, a judicial source said.

Haci Boydak of Boydak Holding was detained earlier Friday in the central province of Kayseri, following the objection by the Public Prosecutor's office against his release.

Boydak was sent back to court, and was remanded in custody, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Boydak was detained Thursday on charges that he was a member of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and had helped finance the banned group.

A local court in Kayseri ordered Boydak’s release the same day due to health concerns, and on condition that 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 defeated 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.

*Reporting by Murat Asil;Writing by Tutku Umac