Gülenist supect İpek detained in London on May 23, released on bail: UK

ISTANBUL

The British authorities have told Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency that Hamdi Akın İpek, a fugitive Turkish businessman wanted for suspected links to the Gülen network, was detained in London on May 23 but was later released on bail.

İpek, the former head of Koza İpek Holding, was detained upon Turkey’s demand and later appeared on a UK court on May 23, but was released on a bail of 50,000 pounds (roughly $66,000), Anadolu Agency reported on July 21.

In a means to prevent him from leaving the country during the judicial process, the British authorities have also seized İpek’s passport, the agency said.

The UK court also ordered İpek to be reachable 7/24 via his mobile. İpek will have to reside at the address that he notified to the authorities, as part of a bail condition.

İpek will appear in the UK court once again in September.  

Meanwhile, the UK Interior Ministry has also confirmed that İpek was detained on May 23 and later released on bail, the agency said.

Turkey’s extradition request for İpek with the approval of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was previously submitted to British authorities.

If the court finds the arrest warrant and the extradition request proper, the court’s decision is also implemented with FCO approval.

İpek, accused of attempting to overthrow Turkey’s government and violate the Constitution by the Turkish government, faces up to two aggravated life sentences if convicted.

He is also facing 132 years in prison for setting up an armed terror group, military and political espionage, forging documents, and laundering money.

The Gülen network, which the Turkish authorities refer to as the  Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), and its U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen are widely believed to have orchestrated the coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured.