Head of Turkey’s aviation association detained over leak of confidential information

ANKARA

Financial crime units conducted searches at the association’s headquarters in Ankara, Oct. 28. AA Photo

Nine members of the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK), including its chairman, Osman Yıldırım, were detained in an operation in Ankara on Oct. 28 over fraud allegations.

Yıldırım and other officials are accused of leaking confidential information about the project for a maiden light airplane manufactured in Turkey, the Türkkuşu.

Financial crime units conducted searches at the association’s headquarters and Gökçen Aviation, a company affiliated to THK that also handles consulting and research and development tasks.

According to initial reports, the investigation was prompted after confidential designs of the plane were leaked on social media.

The association was founded in 1935 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and has since become the pillar of aviation in the country, particularly through its flight schools. Throughout its history, the THK has built planes and operated in close collaboration with the Turkish Armed Forces.

The THK and Gökçen Aviation was looking to expand its activity and had won an air ambulance tender from the Health Ministry.