Turkey Detains Businessmen Linked To U.S.-Based Cleric

Turkish Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen (right) used to be an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkey's state-run news agency says police on March 4 detained four senior officials of a company that has been linked to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric accused of trying to overthrow the Turkish government.

The report says police in the city of Kayseri in central Turkey detained the chairman, the chief executive officer, and two board members of the Boydak Holding company.

The men were being questioned over allegations that the company has given financial support to the movement led by Fethullah Gulen.

Gulen, a former ally of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has lived in the United States since 1999.

In 2015, a trial was launched against Gulen in absentia over charges of trying to overthrow Turkey’s government.

Ankara has sacked civil servants suspected of having ties to Gulen's movement.

It has also seized businesses and closed some media organizations.

Based on reporting bly AP, Reuters, and Andolu