site.btaTurkish Security Forces Launch Operation against Suleymancilar Religious Community, 30 Detained

Turkish security forces launched an operation on Thursday against the religious community known as the Suleymancilar, Turkish state broadcaster TRT Haber reported.

The operation is part of a financial crimes investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and covers Ankara and 17 other provinces across the country. Arrest warrants have been issued for 49 suspects, 30 of whom have been detained. Alihan Kuris, leader of the Sunni Muslim religious community, is among those detained.

Searches were carried out at 123 addresses belonging to companies and businesses linked to the community.

The investigation is not focused on any specific social or religious activity, but on allegations that the organization operates as a hierarchical, financially motivated criminal group, pro-government newspaper Sabah reported.

According to the Haberler website, the investigation is focused on the organization's financial structure, based on analyses by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).

The suspects face allegations including corruption and money laundering, as well as creating unusual financial flows through highly capitalized companies involved in transactions worth billions of Turkish lira. Investigators have identified unusual links between the capital structures of some companies and their financial flows.

According to investigators, more than TRY 100 billion was transferred abroad through various methods. Trustees have been appointed to companies and assets suspected of being involved in money laundering. Some of the transactions have been linked to Israel. Numerous weapons and large amounts of cash were seized during the operation. The investigation is continuing.

The Suleymancilar are an influential religious and social community in Turkiye with Islamic roots. They are named after their founder, Suleyman Hilmi Tunahan, who was born in Silistra, Bulgaria. The community is known for its extensive network of foundations and dormitories, as well as Quran study courses.

According to unconfirmed reports, the community has also been linked to preacher Fethullah Gulen, who was convicted in absentia of leading the failed coup attempt in Turkiye on July 15, 2016. Gulen died in the United States in October 2024.