As of Nov. 7, the number of companies seized after the July 15 coup attempt on charges of being linked with the Gulen movement, which Turkey has declared a terrorist group, had reached 594.
All told, however, the government suspects people associated with 8,000 companies of having links with the Gulen movement. This mind-boggling number was cited by a member of the Cabinet talking with Nuray Babacan of the daily Hurriyet. He outlined a three-phase investigation of suspected companies: Conduct financial audits, appoint trustees, and close or sell the companies of those found guilty.