Istanbul police raid Gülenist firms

Toygun Atilla ISTANBUL / Hürriyet

DHA Photo

The financial crime unit of the Istanbul Police Department has raided the firms of a corporation reportedly linked to the Gülen movement.

Police officers raided Kaynak Holding’s headquarters in Üsküdar’s Bulgurlu neighborhood and Bağcılar’s Mahmutbey neighborhood early on March 27, confiscating documents and computers. The inspection continued until the morning.

Kaynak Holding is a corporation with almost 7,000 employees and 1.5 billion Turkish Liras in annual revenue. It has 23 firms in 16 business sectors, operating in the areas of education, publications, cargo and information technology.

The raid was triggered by an informant who reportedly works as a manager for the corporation. The operation is focused on Sürat Kargo and the firms related to information technology, it has been learned.

Kanaltürk license cancelled

Meanwhile, the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTÜK) has canceled the national broadcast license of Kanaltürk television in a move that will significantly reduce Kanaltürk’s advertising revenue. The channel is one of many inspired by Fethullah Gülen, the leader of the Gülen movement and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ally-turned-nemesis.