Turkey detains top execs of defense firm Assan in military espionage probe
The company’s 10 subsidiaries have been placed under the control of Turkey's state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund.
ANKARA — Turkish authorities on Wednesday detained the top executives of major defense contractor Assan Group over alleged terror ties and military espionage, taking control of the company’s 10 subsidiaries.
In a statement late Wednesday, the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office said Assan Group owner Emin Oner and managing director Gurcan Okumus were under investigation for links to the Gulenist network and for allegedly obtaining classified military information.
The Gulenist movement, led by cleric Fethullah Gulen until his death in the United States in October 2024, is accused by Ankara of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt and has been officially designated a terrorist organization.
Searches at the detainees’ homes and offices were ongoing, the statement added.
