6 suspects released in FETO's business network case

By Murat Paksoy,Muhammed Enes Can and Murat Kaya

ISTANBUL

An Istanbul court on Friday released six people allegedly linked with Fetullah Terrorist Organization’s (FETO) business network, a judicial official said.

Known as the TUSKON case against 86 suspects, the trial -- which started on Oct. 23 -- involves members of the TUSKON business association, which was shut down for its alleged financial support to the FETO.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Istanbul's 23rd Heavy Penal Court released the suspects -- including Ahmet Sener Gulenc, Ilhan Karagoz, Levent Dursunakin, Oguz Kaan Gunduz, Salih Zeki Azak and Selahattin Altuntas -- and also ordered a travel ban for them.

Among those in custody are Omer Faruk Kavurmacı, chairman of the Aydinli Group, Faruk Gullu, co-owner of the well-known Faruk Gulluoglu baklava chain, Tolga Guven, Safak Koca, Cetin Tekmedir, Ahmet Tuzlu, Mehmet Zenginer and Mustafa Zenginer.

Arrest warrants were issued for Mehmet Ali Gov, Serkan Ercan, Suat Baris, Semih Gayretli, Muhdi Yeyrek, Ceyhun Pilatin and İsmail Kinay, which are also suspects in the trial.

The court decided to hold the next hearing of the trial on June 18 in Istanbul’s Silivri prison.