Turkish Authorities Detain A Number Of Defense Company Executives Related To Military Espionage Investigation

Illustration. (Pixabay/4711018)

JAKARTA - Turkish authorities have detained the owner and general manager of Assan Group, defense and construction conglomerate, as part of an investigation into alleged military espionage, Istanbul's prosecutor's office said late Wednesday.

The Prosecutor's Office said the two men - identified as company owners Emin Oner and general manager Gurcan Okumus - were detained on suspicion of military espionage and membership in the US-based network of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara accused of masterminding a 2016 coup attempt.

The Prosecutor's Office explained that the search continued at the home and office of the two men, while the 10 companies operating under the Assan Group were placed under the management of the trustee by the Savings Insurance Fund (TMSF).

As part of the same investigation, Ismet Sayhan, former CEO of Turkish defense firm MKE who later worked as Assan's legal adviser, was jailed pending trial on charges of "graining state security documents fraudulently," NTV reported.

Following Sayhan's arrest on Sunday, Assan Group denied media reports that they had received classified information about procurement for the Turkish military.

"All allegations by Assan Group illegally accessing or obtaining classified documents of the Ministry of Defense or Armed Forces are baseless and are part of a defamation campaign aimed at damaging our reputation," Assan Group said in a statement on Tuesday.

Okumus is a former head of TUBITAK SAGE, a state defense research institute that develops an ammunition and missile system.

"Investigations are still ongoing from various directions," said the prosecutor's office.

Earlier this week, Assan Group issued a statement denying their reports of having received classified information about the procurement of the Turkish military, calling it "part of a defamation campaign".

Gulen, who died last year, denied involvement in the 2016 coup, but his movement was designated a terrorist group by Turkey and has since been systematically dissolved within the country.

Assan, founded in 1989, operates in defense, construction, logistics, and energy, which in recent years has grown into a manufacturer of artillery ammunition and drone components. The website says the company has more than 1,000 employees.