A former Turkish parliament member accused of large-scale swindling was arrested Tuesday after a court appearance in Istanbul.
The arrest of Fadil Akgunduz, aged 44, came hours after the court re-activated an arrest warrant for him.
"I have done nothing wrong. I have worked day and night to serve my country, " Akgunduz told reporters after arriving at the courthouse, according to Anatolia news agency.
His arrest followed last week's cancellation of the November 3 election results in the southeastern province of Siirt, where the controversial businessman was elected as an independent to parliament.
Akgunduz enjoyed a short period of judicial immunity after winning his seat, which he had campaigned for from abroad as a warrant for his arrest had been issued after he was convicted and sentenced to two years behind bars for fraud.
However, when he turned up in parliament to take his oath of office earlier this month he faced protests from fellow lawmakers who staged a walkout. Akgunduz escaped abroad after his high-profile initiative to launch his own make of car went sour.
Meanwhile, around 100 Turks living in Germany have also filed complaints in Turkish courts against Akgunduz, accusing him of collecting around six million German marks under a bogus investment scheme, the Turkish media reported. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
