Türkiye detains 30 suspects in major organised crime investigation

Turkish security forces detained 30 suspects, including alleged crime kingpin Alihan Kuris, in a nationwide investigation into an alleged criminal organisation. The investigation covers money laundering, fraud, tax violations and organised crime. Financial investigators reportedly identified suspicious company structures, large cash movements, questionable international transfers and possible fictitious invoicing. Operations were conducted across 17 provinces, with authorities issuing warrants for 49 suspects and searches of more than 120 addresses. Nine suspects are reportedly abroad, while efforts continue to arrest the remaining 10.

Turkish security forces have detained 30 suspects, including alleged crime kingpin Alihan Kuris, in a nationwide operation targeting the so-called Alihan Kuris criminal organisation, Ankara's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday.

The investigation focuses on allegations including establishing and leading a criminal organisation, money laundering, fraud against public institutions and violations of Turkey's tax laws.

MASAK UNCOVERS SUSPICIOUS COMPANY TRANSACTIONS

Türkiye's Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) prepared a financial report on the suspects and companies allegedly linked to the organisation.
The report found that financial transaction volumes involving several companies increased sharply after 2020.
Investigators also identified a pattern of corporate divisions, company transfers and the creation of new businesses with unusually large capital.
Some newly established companies were reportedly based in different provinces and operated in sectors unrelated to the businesses from which they were separated.

COMPANIES ALLEGEDLY USED TO HIDE MONEY FLOWS

According to the investigation, some of the companies appeared to have little or no active commercial activity beyond their capital.
Instead, their funds were allegedly used to finance subsidiaries and other related companies.
Investigators believe this structure may have been designed to make company records harder to access and financial transactions more difficult to trace.
The report also identified substantial cash movements, transfers through payment institutions and large cash injections by shareholders whose sources required further explanation.

POSSIBLE FICTITIOUS INVOICING UNDER INVESTIGATION

MASAK also flagged high-
value purchases and sales between companies as potentially suspicious.
Investigators are examining whether some of the transactions involved fictitious invoicing designed to disguise the movement or origin of funds.
The report further identified foreign-currency transfers from overseas companies that appeared inconsistent with the companies' recorded activities.
Some businesses also reportedly received substantial tax refunds, adding another area of concern for investigators.

OPERATIONS CONDUCTED ACROSS 17 PROVINCES

The simultaneous raids were carried out across 17 Turkish provinces, with major operations in Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya.
Authorities issued detention orders for 49 suspects and search-and-seizure warrants covering 43 addresses linked to individuals under investigation.
Authorities also targeted 80 addresses belonging to 33 companies allegedly connected to the organisation.

30 SUSPECTS DETAINED

Of the 49 people wanted by authorities, 30, including Alihan Kuris, were detained during the operation.
Nine suspects were found to be outside Türkiye, while authorities are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining 10.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the financial records, assets and corporate structures allegedly connected to the organisation.