An Istanbul court ruled that the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) take over the administration of Hasan Gültekin Gaziantep Baklavacısı, an eight-store baklava chain.
According to Turkish media, Hasan Güç, the deputy governor of İstanbul’s Kağıthane district, was appointed as a trustee to run the company.
The decision was made as part of an investigation into the Gülen movement, which the government accuses of masterminding a July 15 coup attempt.
The Turkish government has already taken over more than 800 companies either by confiscating or seizing them as part of precautionary measures.
Among the seized companies are two of the country‘s most popular baklava chains — Güllüoğlu and Seyidoğlu. Owners of such firms are accused of financially supporting the movement.
An Istanbul court claimed that Güllüoğlu had earlier transferred some of its branches to Hasan Gültekin Gaziantep Baklavacısı in a move to avoid larger losses. Executives from Güllüoğlu have been under pre-trial arrest for some time and are not able to admit or deny the claim.