The Malaysian Insight

THE wife of a Turkish businessman today knocked back Putrajaya’s assertion that he has links to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, and defended his support for ideas promoted by Turkish dissident Fetullah Gulen.

Ayse Gul Karaman, 38, said her husband Turgay Karaman subscribed to “the ideas of Gulen, which are love and patience, everything a human being should have, so what is wrong with that?

“He is not a member of the Gulen movement, nor is he a supporter or member of the Islamic State,” Ayse told reporters at Publika Shopping Gallery in Kuala Lumpur today.

Turkish newspapers reported that Turgay, Ihsan Aslan and Ismet Ozcelik were ‎abducted by unknown individuals, and noted that Malaysia had extradited sympathisers of Gulen to Turkey.

Turkey’s leader Reccip Erdogan has accused the US-based Gulen of organising the July 15 coup.

Following those newspaper reports, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said all three were in police custody while Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Tugay and Ihsan were arrested for alleged links to IS.

The first hint of trouble had come on May 3, when Ayse’s husband returned home to get his passport. He was accompanied by policemen.

Ayse said she and her husband’s lawyer had been denied the opportunity to meet her husband in detention.

“After maghrib, the inspector-general of police called me, (told me) not to worry about my husband as he was in good condition.

“He was very polite. He said the police were just investigating whether he had committed any crime, but he didn’t mention what crime.”

Ayse said the IGP told her that the police would only let her see her husband after giving her “notice”.

“I asked him, when can I see my husband? He said after one week, I said that was too long and I couldn’t trust him.

“I then asked him whether my lawyers could see him. He said within 48 hours, but until now, my lawyers still haven’t met him.

Ayse also confirmed that her husband met Prime Minister Najib Razak as reported by the Guardian.

“It is true that my husband has met the prime minister before, but I don’t remember the day,” she said.

She added that she believes the Malaysian government would do her justice and release her husband soon.

“I don’t think they will deport my husband to Turkey; I believe they won’t do this; 15 years we have been living here.” – May 6, 2017.