Opposition ex-deputy’s assets seized over FETO links

ISTANBUL

A Turkish court on Wednesday ordered the forfeiture of assets belonging to a former deputy of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) over alleged links to the Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The court in Istanbul ordered that all bank accounts, vehicles and other assets belonging to Aykan Erdemir -- who was also named as a witness in a case against a Turkish banker in New York -- be confiscated.

Last week, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had issued an arrest warrant for Erdemir over his alleged links to FETO.

He has been accused of destroying, stealing and misusing state documents related to the security of the Republic of Turkey.

Erdemir, who is currently at large, has also been accused of involvement with a 2013 attempt by FETO to overthrow Turkey’s elected government through its members nested in the judiciary and of providing doctored documents to be used in an ongoing court trial case against Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla in New York.

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

Reporting by Muhammed Enes Can, Murat and Hanife Sevinc:Writing by Sibel Ugurlu

ISTANBUL

Last week, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had issued an arrest warrant for Erdemir over his alleged links to FETO.

He has been accused of destroying, stealing and misusing state documents related to the security of the Republic of Turkey.

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

Reporting by Muhammed Enes Can, Murat and Hanife Sevinc:Writing by Sibel Ugurlu