TÜSİAD (Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association) executives Orhan Turan and Ömer Arif Aras were released on Wednesday evening under judicial supervision, including a travel ban, after an investigation was launched into their statements criticising government policies, including the appointment of trustees, inflation and systemic failures.
The investigation followed strong criticism from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who condemned TÜSİAD’s remarks as a “provocation” during a Justice and Development Party (AKP) group meeting on 19 February. Both Turan and Aras were questioned by the public prosecutor’s office and, after giving their statements, were placed under judicial control by the court. They were released with a travel ban.
Earlier, at the general assembly of TÜSİAD on 13 February, Aras had raised concerns about the political climate, saying that the removal of elected mayors and the appointment of trustees undermined public trust. He also highlighted systemic failures, citing the deadly fire in Kartalkaya, which he blamed on poor oversight and regulation. Aras also highlighted rising inflation, which he linked to the government’s economic policies.
Turan also criticised the government’s handling of the economy, pointing to increasing allegations of corruption, fraud and the black market. “Setting up a criminal organisation now seems easier than setting up a company,” he said.
In response to their statements, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stressed that no individual or organisation should be above the law or the will of the people. He added that attempts to influence the judiciary and politics were contrary to democratic principles.
Erdoğan’s response, however, was more direct. In his speech, he declared that TÜSİAD’s actions would not be tolerated and said: “If you are a businessmen’s association, behave like one. Don’t provoke the state institutions or put pressure on the judiciary. We won’t allow anyone to undermine the authority of the state or attack the integrity of the judiciary.”
The Turkish President went on to say that TÜSİAD must “learn its place” and emphasised that no one can question the law. He concluded: “You will not undermine the state or its institutions. We will not tolerate such actions.”
Following Erdoğan’s remarks, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into Turan and Aras. The legal investigation and the subsequent release of the executives under judicial control led to a decline in the Istanbul Stock Exchange.
TÜSİAD defended its actions, saying in a statement that its criticism was part of a healthy democratic culture: “It is our responsibility to contribute to the country’s progress with our knowledge, experience and proposals. We remain committed to fulfilling our role in advancing Turkey’s common goals.”
These developments have sparked both political and economic debates about the state of democracy and the economy in Turkey.
