Turkey seizes bank associated with US-based Muslim cleric
ANKARA - Turkey's banking regulator said Friday a state fund has seized a bank associated with a movement led by the US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, which authorities have accused of attempting to destabilize the government.
The banking agency said the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund had taken took full control of Bank Asya, citing "problems" within its financial structure. It said the move aimed to safeguard trust and stability in Turkey's financial system.
Critics said the takeover is part of a government crackdown on the movement it accuses of orchestrating a corruption scandal in 2013 to topple it. Hundreds of police and judiciary officials suspected of ties to the movement have been dismissed.
