Turkish authorities have detained two senior executives of ASSAN Group, a major defense and construction company, as part of an ongoing espionage investigation. The arrests took place in Istanbul, and officials confirmed that the company’s owner and general manager are under custody.
According to a statement from prosecutors, the executives are being questioned on suspicion of military espionage. They are also accused of links to a banned network that the government blames for a failed coup attempt in 2016.
After the detentions, authorities searched the homes and offices of the executives. Investigators secured the assets of ASSAN Group. Officials placed 10 companies under the group into trustee management. Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund took this action, as it has the authority to manage firms involved in legal disputes or criminal probes.
The probe into ASSAN Group remains ongoing, with prosecutors stating that more evidence is being collected.
ASSAN Group Under Scrutiny in Defense Sector
ASSAN Group, founded in 1986, started out in the construction sector before expanding into defense and security-related industries. Over time, it became a known player in Turkey’s growing defense market.
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The group began to play a more prominent role in defense production in 2016. It promoted itself as a company capable of offering “end-to-end solutions” for military forces. Its portfolio includes systems designed to work together for better performance in modern warfare.
In May this year, ASSAN Group acquired Dynaflow Technologies, a South African defense company. This deal allowed ASSAN Group to start producing hard target and proximity fuzes for aerial bombs. These components are vital to ensure munitions work effectively and safely. By bringing fuze production in-house, ASSAN Group positioned itself as a more integrated defense supplier, offering complete systems that combined bombs, fuzes, and other related products.
The company also pursued international cooperation. In October last year, ASSAN Group signed a series of agreements with the UAE’s Edge Group and its subsidiary Lahab. These deals included the purchase of bombs as well as plans to establish a munition production line. The agreements highlighted ASSAN Group’s ambitions to expand its partnerships abroad.
While these moves boosted the company’s reputation in defense circles, the latest arrests and accusations have placed ASSAN Group under intense scrutiny for reasons unrelated to its commercial growth.
MIT Issues Warning on Espionage Risks
Earlier this month, Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) issued a public warning about potential espionage threats inside the country. MIT stated that foreign powers could attempt to recruit agents in Turkey, using methods already seen in other parts of the region.
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According to MIT, such operations often go beyond surveillance. They can include targeted killings of political or military leaders, aimed at creating instability. The agency noted that these actions serve two goals: removing influential figures and creating unrest that makes it easier to recruit local informants.
MIT specifically referred to operations in Iran, where covert networks have allegedly targeted leaders and tried to fuel political and economic turmoil. The agency cautioned that similar methods could be redirected toward Turkey.
The timing of MIT’s warning and the arrests of ASSAN Group executives has drawn attention, although authorities have not publicly connected the two. For now, the investigation into ASSAN Group continues as part of Turkey’s wider efforts to counter espionage threats.
