Turkish businessman remanded over Gulen probe

By Baris Kilic

ANKARA

A Turkish businessman from a family that has been charged with supporting terrorism was remanded in custody on Monday for being a member of a terrorist group himself.

The Ankara Public Prosecutor's Office held Cafer Tekin Ipek, the brother of Koza-Ipek conglomerate Chair Akin Ipek, after being questioned by a prosecutor.

According to judicial sources speaking anonymously due to not being authorized to talk with the media, the businessman, who was detained earlier in Istanbul, is accused of being a member of Gulenist Terror Organization (FETO) headed by U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is said to have infiltrated Turkey’s state apparatus with thousands of followers in an effort to overthrow the government.

Koza Ipek Holding, with interests in media, energy, construction, and mining, was raided last September in a counter-terrorism investigation against FETO.

Its Chairman Akin Ipek is believed to have left Turkey before police conducted the raid.

According to Ankara’s Fifth Criminal Court of Peace, Akin Ipek is "understood" to have provided financing for Gulen.