Arrested Bank Asya shareholder claims he was defrauded by Gülenists

Nurettin Kurt – ISTANBUL

Hasan Sayın, one of the controlling shareholders of Turkish bank Bank Asya who was among 40 businessmen arrested over Gülenist links, has said in testimony that a total of 30 million Turkish Liras he transferred to a school in the United States was intended for the “prosperity” of his daughter and other female students studying there, adding that he had been defrauded by the outlawed Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ), who used the funds for other purposes. 

Arrested on charges of providing financial aid to the organization, Sayın said he and his brother became involved in the business with a belief that an interest rate-free banking system would bring benefits to the country. However he said they later sold their shares upon witnessing the infiltration of FETÖ into the bank and realizing they had been defrauded.

When asked about his financial transfers to the United States, Sayın said he initially sent $2.65 million to his daughter’s school, Brooklyn Amity School, in 2008 after learning that the school administration was searching for donors who would finance its dormitories.

Sayın said after he recovered from a panic attack over the 2008 Lehman crisis, he was willing to donate the necessary amount to the school in “gratitude” for his recovery. Sayın said he made the transaction via Bank Asya, adding it could be found in bank records and that this amount covered his daughter’s study and accommodation expenses as well.     

Sayın said he later donated additional money bringing the total to 30 million liras ($10 million), which was his income from the bank’s public offering, and that his motive was the same “religious feelings” and “to contribute to the Turkish girls living there in comfort and prosperity.” 

Sayın added that he later learned that he had been defrauded and his finances were used for different purposes.  

Sayın said since 2008 he had credits from various Turkish banks totaling 40 million liras and that they wanted to cut their ties with Bank Asya after the Dec. 17-25, 2013, probes, thinking that “they [Gülenists] could do every immorality.”