Turkey expands investigation into Süleymanlılar religious group

Turkish authorities have expanded an investigation into the Süleymanlılar religious community, which includes seeking judicial assistance from Germany to examine international fund transfers. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated the inquiry, referred to by the government as the ‘Alihan Kuriş criminal organization’ investigation, is focused on financial crimes. The community, led by jailed figure Alihan Kuriş, has a significant presence in Germany through organizations such as the Cologne-based Association of Islamic Cultural Centers (VIKZ).

Parallel to the financial probe, Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into the media outlet TR724 under the country’s ‘disinformation law.’ The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office accused the outlet of publishing ‘false, manipulative and misleading’ content regarding the 2016 death of former transport minister and Süleymanlılar leader Arif Ahmet Denizolgun. The death has become a renewed focus of investigation following the exhumation of his remains in August.

TR724 has characterized the legal action as an attempt to silence reporting on the government’s crackdown on the Süleymanlılar, a group that has historically not endorsed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP). Meanwhile, the VIKZ association in Germany has denied allegations of financial impropriety regarding its headquarters project, labeling the claims a smear campaign.