Zaman School Links to be Discussed

Khmer Times
Tin Sokhavuth

Ilhan Kemal Tug, Turkey’s ambassador to Cambodia, wants the Zaman schools closed due to alleged links to the suspected plotters of a failed coup against his government. KT/ Mai Vireak

Chum Sounry, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters yesterday the ministry would organize a meeting with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in October to discuss the Zaman schools and their alleged link to terrorism.

Mr. Sounry added that yesterday morning, Turkey’s ambassador to Cambodia Ilhan Kemal Tug met with Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn at the ministry to thank the Cambodian government for establishing diplomatic relations with his government.

Mr. Tug also told the minister about the present situation in Turkey, which has since returned to a relatively peaceful state after the attempted coup last month.

The ambassador has been persistent in demanding Mr. Sokhonn close the Zaman schools in Phnom Penh, saying the schools were connected to the suspected coup plotters.

In response, Mr. Sokhonn said his ministry would discuss the issue with related ministries and a possible investigation could be carried out after the meeting with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about Zaman schools in October.

Hakan Atasever, the director of public relations at Zaman Group, told Khmer Times he has a strong conviction that Cambodian ministries would handle the issue objectively, and his company was ready to cooperate with Cambodian authorities.

“We trust that the related Cambodian offices will act objectively and fairly while handling the issue. We are ready to cooperate with any governmental department when necessary,” said Mr. Atasever.

He added the ambassador must provide evidence for his claim the school has links to terrorism.

“We repeat again, it is the duty of Mr. Ambassador to provide solid evidence to his claims, if he has any of course,” added Mr. Atasever.

According to a statement issued by Zaman Group last month, the company condemned the attempted coup in Turkey and strongly supported democratic values, saying free and fair elections were the only way to form a government.

The statement added that although the founders of the Zaman schools had been spiritually motivated by Fethullah Gulen, he was never actually connected to the school.

Last week, the Mekong Dialogue Institute, another organization run by the Zaman Group, also denied links to terrorism despite being inspired by Mr. Gulen.