Baku, Azerbaijan, March 5
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Former Director General of the Turkish Halkbank, Suleyman Aslan, who was arrested under the anti-corruption operation in Turkey in December, 2013 and was released in February 2014, has been appointed chairman of the bank's board of directors, Haber7 TV channel reported on March 4.
Aslant was appointed to this post in accordance with a decision of the bank's board of directors, according to the TV channel.
Boards of directors in state banks have a right to independently choose a chairman, according to Turkey's banking legislation.
Ali Fuat Tashkesenlioglu was appointed a new director general of Halkbank on Feb.8, 2014.
Turkish police conducted special operations in Istanbul and Ankara on Dec.17, 2013, resulting in the arrest of several dozen people including businessmen and the sons of some ministers. The detainees were accused of corruption, smuggling and selling drugs.
Former Interior Minister Muammar Guler's son, Baris Guler, former Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan's son, Salih Kaan Caglayan, the Mayor of Istanbul's Fatih Municipality, Mustafa Demir, well known entrepreneur Ali Agaoglu and businessman Reza Zarrab were all arrested during the same operation by police.
Turkey's Prosecutor's Office made a decision to release them in February 2014.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by S.M.