27.08.2026 20:51
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, sharing striking information about the investigation into the 'Alihan Kuris criminal organization', said that Kuris drove a Porsche at age 25, starting from his student years. Gurlek stated that the family owns approximately 185 real estate properties and that the organization's leadership exploited religious sentiments to build a luxurious life for themselves.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek made striking evaluations regarding the latest status of the investigation into the "Alihan Kuriş criminal organization."
Stating that the third wave of the investigation has been carried out, Gürlek said that trustees have been appointed to 15 companies and a trusteeship decision has been made for 4 associations. Gürlek noted that the suspects detained in the latest wave have not yet appeared before a judge and that the detention period is ongoing.
"THEY EXPLOITED CITIZENS UNDER THE GUISE OF RELIGION"
Emphasizing that the investigation is not targeting a religious structure, Gürlek said, "As we said from the very beginning, this is entirely an operation against a criminal organization. It is definitely not an operation against a religious structure. Here, citizens' religious sentiments are being exploited under the guise of religion."
Speaking on a live broadcast where he was a guest on tv100, Minister Gürlek stated that there is also a suspicious situation regarding the death of former Transportation Minister Arif Ahmet Denizolgun.
"WE DID NOT CONDUCT AN OPERATION AGAINST A RELIGIOUS STRUCTURE"
Stating that Alihan Kuriş took over after Denizolgun's death, Gürlek said, "After Arif Ahmet Denizolgun's death, Alihan Kuriş took over in a manner contrary to the lineage. There is a criminal organization here. There is an allegation of a fraud criminal organization against the state."
Noting that the investigation could deepen further, Gürlek said, "We absolutely did not conduct an operation against a religious group or religious structure."
"NEW CONFESSOR STATEMENTS ARE COMING IN"
Stating that the file includes allegations of money laundering, establishing and managing an organization, and crimes against the state, Gürlek said, "The investigation could deepen based on these allegations. New confessor statements are also coming in."
Stating that there are findings indicating that money was taken abroad, Gürlek said, "They prefer various methods for this. They take the money abroad by handing it over in cash through tourism companies."
Gürlek stated that there is a structure in Cologne, Germany, and said, "They want to move their center there."
"THERE ARE AROUND 185 PROPERTIES"
Stating that Alihan Kuriş was born in 1982, Gürlek said that Kuriş's mother and brother were also caught. Stating that approximately 185 properties have been identified in examinations of the family's assets, Gürlek said, "We see that the organization's leadership established a life of luxury for themselves by exploiting the religious sentiments of those at the base of the organization."
"FROM HIS STUDENT DAYS, AT AGE 25, HE WAS DRIVING A PORSCHE"
Saying that Kuriş's past is also being examined, Gürlek said, "From his student days, according to records, he was driving a Porsche at age 25. So, he has a luxurious lifestyle; he drives the most luxurious cars. All of these are being examined."
"THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED A LUXURIOUS LIFE FOR THEMSELVES"
Drawing attention once again to the financial dimension of the investigation, Gürlek said, "I want to emphasize again. This is entirely an operation regarding the financial structure of the organization. We are currently fighting against structures that have created a luxurious life for themselves under the guise of religion."
Stating that MASAK reports are important in investigations, Gürlek said that reports will also be requested regarding new companies. Noting that there are individuals who have reached out to them from the public and new confessors, Gürlek stated that the investigation continues.
INVESTIGATION INTO DENİZOLGUN'S DEATH
Stating that the investigation into Arif Ahmet Denizolgun's death is being conducted separately from the Kuriş file, Gürlek said, "Was it a natural death or death by external intervention? An exhumation was carried out. There are suspicions here."
Saying that Alihan Kuriş took over at the age of 36, Gürlek stated that the structure within the organization changed during this process. He stated that there is a forensic medicine report submitted to the file, but a new report from the Council of Forensic Medicine is expected.
"THERE IS A DROWNING ALLEGATION"
Stating that the allegations regarding Denizolgun's death are also being investigated, Gürlek said, "There is a drowning allegation. There is a situation of delaying informing the health teams. All of these are being investigated. The investigation will likely deepen. We are also following it."
Emphasizing that two separate investigations are being conducted, Gürlek said, "Apart from the investigation into the Kuriş Criminal Organization, there is a separate investigation being conducted regarding Ahmet Denizolgun's death."
Stating that citizens who believe their good intentions were exploited by the criminal organization have also applied, Gürlek said these files are being followed by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.