A Turkish court has ordered the release of 29 suspects under judicial supervision who were detained last Friday as part of an investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices and price manipulation in the poultry sector, the DHA news agency reported.
The suspects, who were taken into custody as part of an İstanbul-based operation carried out in multiple provinces, were released by a court under a ban on overseas travel after giving statements to the police and appearing before a judge.
The investigation, overseen by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and carried out by the İstanbul Police Department’s financial crimes unit, targets companies operating in the poultry sector.
The probe was launched based on the review of decisions by Turkey’s Competition Board as well as information and documents obtained from the Trade Ministry.
Prosecutors allege that some suspects directly or indirectly obstructed competition in the market.
Police carried out simultaneous raids on June 12 at locations in İstanbul, Balıkesir, Bolu, Ankara, Uşak, Bursa, İzmir, Samsun, Kocaeli, Manisa, Gaziantep, Sakarya and Muğla, initially detaining 28 people. One more suspect was subsequently taken into custody.
All 29 suspects were later referred to court and released under judicial supervision on Sunday, which includes a travel ban.
The suspects are accused of acting together in ways that disrupted the poultry market, drove up prices and harmed consumers.
Among those detained were senior executives and company officials, including Banvit CEO Tolga Gündüz, Akpiliç Chairman Mustafa Fahrettin Aksoy, Bakpiliç partner Bahattin Bak, Aspiliç Chairman Galip Yeşilbaş, Orvital Chairman Batuhan Tiryakioğlu and Lezita board member Ergun Abalıoğlu.
Supervisory trustees were also appointed to 13 companies, including major poultry producers Banvit, Akpiliç, Bakpiliç, Aspiliç, Bupiliç, Erpiliç, Gedik Pazarlama, Hastavuk, Keskinoğlu, Şenpiliç, Orvital, Aypi and Lezita.
The prosecutor’s office said the investigation was launched after public complaints, citizen tips and allegations concerning the functioning of the poultry market.
The probe is being conducted on accusations of establishing a criminal organization and manipulating prices.
Trustee appointments were intended to ensure that the supply chain for a basic food product is not disrupted and that commercial activities continue in a lawful, transparent and auditable manner, according to the prosecutors.
Under Turkey’s Criminal Procedure Code, courts may appoint trustees to companies if there is strong suspicion that crimes were committed as part of their activities. In a supervisory trusteeship, company management may continue operating, but some decisions can require trustee approval while the investigation proceeds.
The investigation comes months after Turkey’s Competition Board fined 13 poultry producers a total of 3.7 billion lira ($80 million) over competition violations and ordered regulatory measures for the sector.
The use of court-appointed trustees has expanded in Turkey since a failed coup in 2016.
Critics say the practice has weakened property rights, democratic representation and legal predictability, while the government says trustee appointments are a lawful tool used in investigations involving terrorism, organized crime, corruption or threats to public order.