Turkish authorities have launched a major investigation into an alleged financial and criminal network linked to the religious community commonly known as the “Süleymancılar,” carrying out simultaneous operations across 17 provinces.
The investigation, led by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, targets Alihan Kuriş and individuals allegedly operating within a hierarchical financial and commercial network around him.
A total of 49 suspects are being investigated, with 30 people, including Kuriş, detained during the coordinated operation. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the remaining suspects, some of whom have reportedly been identified as being abroad.
Searches Conducted at 123 Locations
The operation was carried out across 17 provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya.
Authorities conducted searches and seizure procedures at 123 locations, including 43 addresses linked to suspects and 80 addresses belonging to 33 companies.
Financial records, company documents and digital materials seized during the searches are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Investigation Covers Five Major Alleged Offenses
Prosecutors are investigating suspects over allegations including establishing and managing a criminal organization, membership in a criminal organization, laundering assets derived from criminal activity, fraud causing losses to public institutions, and violations of Türkiye's Tax Procedure Law.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) has also conducted extensive analyses of companies and individuals believed to have financial links to the alleged network.
MASAK Examines Companies' Financial Activities
According to information made public regarding the investigation, MASAK identified significant increases in the financial transaction volumes and commercial activities of several companies, particularly from 2020 onwards.
Investigators reportedly identified corporate divisions and transfers followed by the establishment of new companies with substantial capital.
Financial authorities are also examining large cash injections into certain companies, capital increases, transfers between related businesses and transactions conducted through various payment channels.
Investigators are seeking to establish whether commercial transactions between the companies corresponded to genuine business activity and whether any transactions involved irregular invoicing practices.
More Than TL 100 Billion in Financial Transactions Under Investigation
One of the most significant aspects of the investigation concerns financial transactions reportedly exceeding TL 100 billion.
According to information emerging from the MASAK investigation, authorities are examining allegations that more than TL 100 billion connected to individuals and companies under investigation was transferred abroad through various methods.
Prosecutors and financial investigators are working to determine the origin of the funds, the individuals and companies involved in the transactions, their overseas destinations and whether any of the money represented proceeds of criminal activity.
The findings remain part of an ongoing investigation and have not yet resulted in final judicial determinations.
33 Companies Searched, 32 Companies Named in Investigation
The corporate dimension of the investigation is particularly extensive.
Authorities carried out searches and seizures at 80 locations belonging to 33 companies. Separately, the names of 32 companies identified as having alleged financial or commercial connections to the network have emerged publicly in connection with the investigation.
The companies operate across a wide range of sectors, including construction, real estate, food production, textiles, healthcare, tourism, automotive services, jewelry, maritime operations, agriculture, electronics and security systems.
32 Companies Named in Connection With the Investigation
The companies publicly named in connection with the financial investigation include:
- ELF Yapı Anonim Şirketi
- Altun Mimarlık İnşaat Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Güldeniz İnşaat Anonim Şirketi
- Ardeniz Emlak Anonim Şirketi
- Garanti Gayrimenkul Geliştirme Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Arden Gıda İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- ŞMS Kopuz Gıda Pazarlama ve Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Tasfiye Halinde TEB Denizcilik Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Özgür Giyim Tekstil Ürünleri Ticaret ve Sanayi Anonim Şirketi
- Armine Giyim Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Hisar Sağlık Hizmetleri Eğitim-Araştırma ve Tıbbi Cihazlar İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Ayakkabı Dünyası Kundura Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Akdeniz Toros Et ve Et Mamülleri Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- İstanbul Hisar Turizm ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- MKM Taş Ocağı Hafriyat İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Perka Yapı İnşaat Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Günso İnşaat Gıda Eğitim ve Yurt Hizmetleri Ticaret ve Sanayi Anonim Şirketi
- Seli Kaynak ve Meyve Suları İşletmeleri Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- MKM Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Asya Otomotiv ve Tekstil Pazarlama Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- MKM Elektronik Ekipmanları ve Güvenlik Sistemleri Sanayi Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Seli Turizm Otelcilik İnşaat Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Ada Nakış Desen Dokuma Giyim İmalat Ticaret ve Sanayi Limited Şirketi
- Verona Ev Tekstil Ürünleri Ticaret ve Pazarlama Anonim Şirketi
- Ada Dokuma İmalat Sanayi Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Güleryüz Kuyumculuk Turizm ve Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Asya Süs Bitkileri Fidancılık ve Tarım İşletmeleri Pazarlama Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Sakarya Üniversitesi Teknoloji Geliştirme Bölgeleri Yönetici Anonim Şirketi
- Han Yapı Grubu Mühendislik Mimarlık İnşaat Turizm Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi
- Bolu Yıldız Eğitim İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi
- Doğu Marmara Avrupa Birliği İş Geliştirme Merkezi (ABİGEM) Anonim Şirketi
- Göknur Gıda Maddeleri Enerji İmalat İthalat İhracat Ticaret ve Sanayi Anonim Şirketi
Ayakkabı Dünyası, Armine and Göknur Gıda Among Prominent Names
The inclusion of several widely recognized Turkish companies has drawn particular attention to the financial dimension of the investigation.
Ayakkabı Dünyası Kundura Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, which operates in the footwear retail sector, and Armine Giyim Sanayi ve Ticaret AŞ, a prominent fashion and clothing company, are among the businesses named in connection with the investigation.
Göknur Gıda Maddeleri Enerji İmalat İthalat İhracat Ticaret ve Sanayi AŞ, a major company operating in the food and beverage industry, also appears on the list.
Other companies named operate in sectors ranging from healthcare and tourism to construction, automotive services, textiles, jewelry, agriculture and security technologies.
Investigators Examine Links Between Companies
Another focus of the investigation is the relationship between the companies themselves.
Financial investigators reportedly identified instances in which companies operating under different names and in different sectors used the same or connected addresses.
Authorities are therefore examining not only the ownership structures of the businesses but also their directors, shareholders, capital movements, shared addresses and financial transactions with one another.
Investigators are seeking to determine whether the companies operated independently or formed parts of a broader interconnected financial structure.
Commercial Network Spans Numerous Industries
The diversity of the companies involved has become one of the notable aspects of the investigation.
Businesses named in connection with the case operate in construction and real estate, clothing and textiles, footwear, meat and food production, beverages, healthcare, tourism and hotels, automotive services, jewelry, maritime operations, agriculture, electronics, security systems and technology development.
MASAK's investigation is consequently examining whether financial and commercial transactions between companies operating in these different sectors were connected.
Overseas Financial Links Also Under Investigation
Authorities are also investigating the international dimension of the alleged financial network.
The investigation into transactions exceeding TL 100 billion includes efforts to establish where funds transferred abroad were sent, which individuals or companies received them and whether overseas businesses or other entities were involved.
Another issue attracting attention is a major facility reportedly constructed by the group in Cologne, Germany.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said the organization had built a center in Cologne valued at approximately $70 million, adding a further international dimension to the investigation.
Authorities are examining overseas financial activities alongside the domestic corporate network as the investigation continues.
Investigation Focuses on Alleged Criminal and Financial Activities
Information released in connection with the operation indicates that the investigation is focused on alleged criminal, financial and commercial activities involving Alihan Kuriş and individuals around him, rather than broadly targeting the religious or social activities of people associated with the Süleymancılar community.
Authorities have referred to the alleged structure under investigation as the “Alihan Kuriş criminal organization.”
The financial investigation, searches of company premises and efforts to locate remaining suspects are continuing.
Further details regarding the MASAK findings, financial transfers abroad, relationships between the companies and possible judicial measures against individuals and businesses are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
All allegations against the individuals and companies named in the investigation remain subject to judicial proceedings. Being named or investigated does not constitute a finding of criminal liability, and those involved are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court.
