Turkish authorities detain ASSAN group owner, CEO in military espionage case

Turkish authorities have detained Emin Öner, owner of ASSAN Group, an industrial conglomerate and the company’s CEO, Gürcan Okumuş, on allegations of links to the FETÖ network and involvement in military espionage activities.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said recent investigations into what has been referred to in the media as “military espionage” identified both Öner and Okumuş as having connections to FETÖ while allegedly carrying out espionage operations, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Given the strategic importance of the sectors in which they operate, the prosecutor’s office stated that the pair were detained on charges of “membership of an armed terrorist organisation” and “military espionage.”

Authorities also confirmed that 10 companies under the ASSAN Group umbrella have been placed under trusteeship by the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF), as part of an ongoing, multi-faceted investigation.

The case highlights Türkiye’s continued crackdown on organisations linked to FETÖ and underscores the government’s heightened scrutiny of sensitive industrial sectors.

FETÖ, which was led by late cleric Fethullah Gülen, is a clandestine network that infiltrated key institutions in Türkiye, including the military, judiciary, and education systems.

 Initially appearing as a religious and educational movement, it gradually engaged in political manipulation.

Its actions culminated in the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, which Türkiye’s government attributes directly to FETÖ.

In response, the government declared a state of emergency, purging over 130,000 public officials and closing more than 1,000 institutions linked to the organization.

FETÖ also maintains an international network through schools, media outlets, and businesses. Türkiye continues efforts to dismantle this network globally, seeking cooperation with other countries to curb its influence.

By Aghakazim Guliyev