The owner of ASSAN Group, Emin Öner, and the company’s general manager, Gürcan Okumuş, have been formally arrested in Istanbul on charges of military espionage and alleged ties to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).
The arrests follow an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office into what has become known in recent years as “military espionage” cases. The two suspects were detained on August 27 and brought before the court after completing initial questioning.
A criminal court of peace ruled for their detention, charging Öner with “membership in an armed terrorist organization” and “destroying, misusing, fraudulently obtaining, or stealing documents related to state security.” Okumuş was charged with “destroying, misusing, fraudulently obtaining, or stealing documents related to state security.”
As part of the investigation, authorities determined that Öner and Okumuş were linked to FETÖ and engaged in activities categorized as military espionage. Following their detention, trustees from Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) were appointed to manage 10 companies operating under ASSAN Group.
The case marks another step in Turkey’s ongoing crackdown on FETÖ, which the government accuses of orchestrating the failed coup attempt in July 2016 and continuing to conduct infiltration and espionage activities.
