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Turkish businessman, mother face lengthy prison sentence over Gülen links

Melek İpek

A prosecutor on Tuesday demanded lengthy prison sentences for Turkish businessman Cafer Tekin İpek and his mother, Melek İpek, on charges of membership in the faith-based Gülen movement and violating tax law, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The Turkish government seized İpek Holding in November 2015 over alleged irregularities in financial records and affiliation with the movement.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) launched a campaign against the movement after a corruption investigation implicating AKP cabinet members was exposed late in 2013.

Turkey also accuses Fethullah Gülen, a US-based Islamic cleric, and his followers of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt, although Gülen strongly denies any involvement.

The prosecutor demands 90 years for Tekin İpek and 20 years for his mother.

Akın İpek, the former CEO of İpek Holding and elder brother of Tekin İpek, has been living in the UK, which denied an extradition request from Ankara this year. Tekin İpek and his mother are resident in Turkey.

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