Police launch operations in petrochemicals company lodgings, SME development body

Police launch operations in petrochemicals company lodgings, SME development body

ANKARA/İZMİR

DHA photo

Police officers have launched a new wave of operations at the lodgings of the country’s largest petrochemicals company, PETKİM, in the Aegean province of İzmir, as part of the ongoing investigation into the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ), which has been accused of orchestrating the failed coup attempt of July 15, detaining at least 13 suspects.

In another operation centered in the capital Ankara, some 35 people were detained, among whom were the top officials at the Small and Medium Sized Industry Development Organization (KOSGEB), as reported by Anadolu Agency on Sept. 20. 

The İzmir-based operation targeted suspects linked to defendants who were previously arrested, released or on the run. Thirteen suspects were detained in operations conducted in Istanbul, Kütahya and Denizli on accusations of being a member of a terror organization and providing financial support to the organization.
Among the detained suspects were former employees of the company who were discharged after the July 15 coup attempt. 

During the searches at the lodgings, police also seized digital data and books written by U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who was accused of masterminding the coup attempt.

Previously, another 13 suspects, including former Petkim CEO Sadettin Korkut and high-level executives, were arrested as part of the investigation into the coup attempt.

The Ankara-based operation was undertaken in 13 provinces, including Istanbul, the eastern province of Erzurum and the northwestern province of Sakarya. A total of 35 suspects were detained in line with this operation, including the provincial directors of the KOSGEB. The detainment warrants were issued for 42 suspects in total, according to Anadolu Agency report.