Turkey to shut down all Gülen-linked companies

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkey will investigate and shut down all companies linked to the supporters of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, who is accused of attempting to overthrow the government and being behind the failed July 15 military coup attempt, Customs and Trade Minister Bülent Tüfenkci said on July 24.“Companies that sponsor the Fethullah Terrorist Organization [FETÖ] and provide financial resources to it will be identified one by one. Investigations will be opened into them and they will be closed, or necessary procedures will be applied against them,” Tüfenkci added.His comments come after the government shut down more than 2,000 Gülen-linked institutions across Turkey following the deadly July 15 coup attempt.According to decrees published in the Official Gazette on July 23, some 35 health institutions and organizations as well as 1,043 private education institutions, organizations, dormitories, and hostels were closed for having links with Gülen. A total of 1,229 foundations and associations, 19 unions, federations and confederations, and 15 foundation schools were also closed.The measures were taken under the three-month state of emergency in the country, which Tüfenkci vowed was “just to enable state institutions to take decisions more quickly and effectively.”“People are still on the streets. Trade still continues. The nation continues to do its shopping. We took this decision in order to take necessary decisions quickly, without any restrictions on the economy,” he added.