Gülenist terror group accused of siphoning off aid projects
The Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) has been accused of obtaining some TL 1.2 billion ($330 million) by committing fraud in social aid projects, marking the latest accusation against the group that is being blamed for the coup attempt in Turkey last year in July.
Criminal investigations revealed that the group, which was heavily influential in bureaucracy, law enforcement and the judiciary, stole millions through the state grants they received for various projects.
Investigators, who have delved into the wrongdoings of the terror cult following the coup attempt that revealed Gülenist infiltrators in the army, found out some 800 projects aimed to benefit the poor, unemployed, orphans and the youth were tainted with corruption allegations.
Money that was supposed to be used in the projects was funneled to FETÖ-linked people and companies, the investigations revealed.
Some 400 suspects face terror financing charges for the fraudulent scheme that involved multiple project "approvals" for the transfer of new grants.
The Social Support Program (SODES), a state-run project which focused on the unemployed, women and other disadvantaged members of the society especially in southeast and east Turkey where terrorism stunted regional development, was among targets of the Gülenists.
A number of irregularities were discovered in almost all aid and vocational training projects while public officials are also facing inquiry for helping FETÖ gain access to the state grants.
One scheme by Gülenists saw the members of the terrorist group receiving up to TL 600,000 from local governorates under the guise of organizing vocational training classes for the disadvantaged.
For classes, FETÖ members hired places owned by the group's other members and purchased goods from FETÖ-linked businessmen for classes and forged invoices to bloat the expenses and receive more grants.
A large number of FETÖ infiltrators from regional development agencies were dismissed from duty as part of the investigations.
Regional development agencies run large-scale social projects and without oversight, FETÖ members used the projects to their own advantage.
Twenty associations and two foundations linked to the terrorist group are under the spotlight for running the fraudulent scheme.
Several public officials implicated in criminal inquiries are accused of skipping proper inspection of tenders involving the social projects, thus, helping FETÖ win tenders although they did not meet state requirements.
Criminal investigations revealed that the group, which was heavily influential in bureaucracy, law enforcement and the judiciary, stole millions through the state grants they received for various projects.
Investigators, who have delved into the wrongdoings of the terror cult following the coup attempt that revealed Gülenist infiltrators in the army, found out some 800 projects aimed to benefit the poor, unemployed, orphans and the youth were tainted with corruption allegations.
Money that was supposed to be used in the projects was funneled to FETÖ-linked people and companies, the investigations revealed.
Some 400 suspects face terror financing charges for the fraudulent scheme that involved multiple project "approvals" for the transfer of new grants.
The Social Support Program (SODES), a state-run project which focused on the unemployed, women and other disadvantaged members of the society especially in southeast and east Turkey where terrorism stunted regional development, was among targets of the Gülenists.
A number of irregularities were discovered in almost all aid and vocational training projects while public officials are also facing inquiry for helping FETÖ gain access to the state grants.
One scheme by Gülenists saw the members of the terrorist group receiving up to TL 600,000 from local governorates under the guise of organizing vocational training classes for the disadvantaged.
For classes, FETÖ members hired places owned by the group's other members and purchased goods from FETÖ-linked businessmen for classes and forged invoices to bloat the expenses and receive more grants.
A large number of FETÖ infiltrators from regional development agencies were dismissed from duty as part of the investigations.
Regional development agencies run large-scale social projects and without oversight, FETÖ members used the projects to their own advantage.
Twenty associations and two foundations linked to the terrorist group are under the spotlight for running the fraudulent scheme.
Several public officials implicated in criminal inquiries are accused of skipping proper inspection of tenders involving the social projects, thus, helping FETÖ win tenders although they did not meet state requirements.