TMSF Orders Injunction on Alp Gürkan’s Assets

Turkey’s Saving Deposit Insurance Fund issued an injunction order on the assets of Alp Gurkan and Korkmaz Yiğit from Soma Mining Co. for “qualitative fraud” allegations. The aforementioned order came into surface when Alp Gurkan stood trial for the first hearing today. 

According to various newspapers, the injunction order was taken for “aiding Korkmaz Yiğit to transfer his assets abroad”.

No injunction for Soma

Previously, prosecutors issued an indictment against Alp Gürkan, CEO of Soma Mining Co. where a mine disaster claimed at least 301 workers’ lives, for “qualitative fraud”.  

Drafted by Prosecutor Erdal Bağcı, the indictment asserted that Gürkan and other suspects committed a crime of qualitative fraud by purchasing the assets of Korkmaz Yiğit after his declaration of bankruptcy in 2007 under different names - a method that saved Yiğit’s being confiscated by TMSF and creditors.

Istanbul 12th High Criminal Court opened the case this morning with 17 suspects being charged with “establishing an association to commit a crime, being member of this association and being trick bankruptcy, fraud of merchants or managers of cooperation, accused of opposition of 6183 Public Claims Procedure Law and Article 110”. All defendants are pending trial with no arrest order. 

On the other hand, TMSF ordered as injunction on the assets of Alp Gurkan and 10 other persons due to the debts of Korkmaz Yiğit exceeding 76 million Turkish liras. 

The request for injunction on Soma Mining Co officials by Akhisar District Chief Prosecutor, however, has been rejected within the mine disaster investigation. (AS/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.