New details emerging Friday from a major investigation into the group known in Turkish society as the Süleymancılar are shedding light on its alleged financial network, internal organization and plans to expand its operations abroad, a day after authorities detained its leader Alihan Kuriş and dozens of associates.
The investigation has brought renewed attention to a religious community that has maintained a large network of dormitories, businesses and educational institutions in Türkiye and abroad for decades, while also facing longstanding public scrutiny over its closed organizational structure.
Kuriş, who took control of the group in 2016, was among 37 people detained in a nationwide operation Thursday targeting what prosecutors describe as an alleged profit-driven criminal organization.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said the investigation concerns allegations including laundering assets derived from crime, fraud causing losses to public institutions and violations of the Tax Procedure Law.
Authorities have also been investigating a financial network involving individuals and companies linked to the group. A report by Türkiye's Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) identified more than TL 100 billion ($2 billion) in financial movements allegedly taken abroad through the network.
