Turkish authorities detain 22 in nationwide raids against Alihan Kuriş network

In a large-scale operation across 12 provinces, Turkish police detained 22 people suspected of belonging to a criminal organization allegedly headed by Alihan Kuriş, the leader of the Süleymancılar religious movement. Simultaneous raids hit 28 residences and 16 workplaces, resulting in the arrest of 22 suspects and the identification of 14 others overseas; authorities are still searching for the remaining two. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office says the investigation covers charges of establishing a criminal syndicate, membership, money-laundering, defrauding public institutions and tax violations.

The probe, coordinated with the Ankara Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division, stresses that it targets financial wrongdoing rather than the religious movement itself. A prior MASAK report linked the network to more than TL 100 billion in funds moved abroad. The case remains under active investigation.