Overwhelming public response in support of Bank Asya

A public outcry against the raid and temporary management takeover of Bank Asya has seen countless customers depositing their money in support.
A public outcry against the raid and temporary management takeover of Bank Asya has seen countless customers depositing their money in support.


Date posted: February 10, 2015

Solidarity campaigns against the Banking Regulation Supervision Agency’s (BDDK) decision to have the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) temporarily take over the management of Bank Asya have been springing up across the nation.

The raid and management take over, conducted amidst the heavy presence of police and water cannons on shaky legal grounds, was intended to scare customers into withdrawing their money and sinking the bank. Instead scores of customers across the nation visited their local branches and deposited their earnings to defy the BDDK.

Police efforts to further intimidate by recording those who participated in the solidarity campaigns were ignored by the loyal customers who responding by waving at the cameras pointed at them by the security forces.

One such solidarity campaign took place in Gaziantep, with citizens arriving in front of the bank early in the morning to protest the BDDK decision and deposit their money. One participant, Sema Kömürcü, told Bugün “We’re not here just to support Bank Asya but in support of the entire Turkish economy. It isn’t just about standing up for Bank Asya, it’s about standing up for Turkey, about standing up for democracy.”

Another loyal customer was retiree Muhammet Nami Güzeler from the southeastern city of Malatya, who said he had already sold his apartment in the city center and come to the bank to deposit the money. He added he was also trying to sell his two cars so he could deposit that money as well.

Source: BGNNews , February 10, 2015


Related News

As it happens:Turkey’s graft investigation and PM Erdoğan’s response

The rift between the two players [ the AK Party and the Hizmet movement] has been growing since the last general elections in 2011. Since then, the Hizmet movement has become increasingly critical of the AK Party government on a number of fronts, including the lack of progress on the drafting of the new civil constitution and the alienating style and substance of AK Party politics.

Toward the ‘Mubarak model’

As Turkey’s all-inclusive civil society organization, the Hizmet movement, which has always advocated human rights and freedom, adopted democracy, worked to make the state more transparent and accountable, supported Turkey’s accession to the EU and its integration into the world, has become a target.

Columnist fired from pro-gov’t daily after critical comment over Soma

In a similar development, the Yenişafak daily, another pro-government newspaper fired columnist Süleyman Gündüz for his refusal to toe the newspaper’s line against Hizmet Movement (also known as Gülen movement) led and inspired by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Erdogan blackmails President-Elect Trump

“Turkey desperately wants the U.S. government to extradite an imam [Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen],” Maddow explained. “They [the U.S.] have said that they are not extraditing him. But if that’s what you wanted, what if you could squeeze the personal financial interests of the American president as a way to get what you want from the American government?”

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen gives first TV interview in 16 years

Responding to widespread assumptions that he ordered his followers in senior positions in the police and judiciary to launch the investigations into alleged high-level government corruption, Gülen issued strong denials of such claims. He said the reactions of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which have included the sacking a number of police commissioners and the arrest of some of Erdoğan’s allies, were “anti-democratic.”

US calls Turkey to uphold fundamental freedoms after Zeynalov’s deportation

When asked about Zeynalov being deported by the Turkish government, US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said, “We are looking into these unsettling reports. As we have said, we have been and continue to be strong advocates for freedom of expression around the world, and we believe that democracies are strengthened by the diverse voices of their people. We look to Turkey as a democracy and ally to uphold the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association.”

Latest News

Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison

Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney

Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement

ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment

New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

In Case You Missed It

Turkish schools hold 4th annual Bengali Olympics

Festival showcasing Anatolian cultures attracts thousands in LA

London newspaper forced to shut as Erdogan allies seek vengeance

Minister Yildirim’s high praise for Fethullah Gulen

KYM Calls for Papers-International Conference on “Social Media for Good”

Islamic scholars convene at ijtihad symposium in İstanbul

Reaction mounts against PM’s witch-hunt remarks

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News