A Turkish court has barred two senior executives from the country’s most powerful business association from traveling abroad, as authorities investigate their remarks on democracy—comments that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan slammed as an attack on the government.
Orhan Turan, president of TUSIAD, and Omer Aras, chairman of QNB Finansbank’s Turkish unit, made statements at the group’s recent general assembly that criticized crackdowns on opposition figures and journalists. Aras warned that such actions eroded public trust and harmed democracy.
Following their remarks, Istanbul prosecutors launched an investigation, accusing the executives of attempting to influence a fair trial and spreading misleading information. Police escorted them to court for questioning just hours after Erdoğan denounced their comments in a fiery address to his party’s lawmakers.
Though the court released both men under judicial control, it imposed international travel bans, signaling a widening crackdown on dissent.
TUSIAD, whose members drive the vast majority of Turkey’s foreign trade and corporate tax contributions, defended its role, stating that it remains committed to national interests.
