29.10.2026 20:03
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that operations were carried out against illegal betting networks and criminal organizations within the scope of 3 separate investigations based in Ankara, Istanbul, and Edirne. During the operations, 150 people were detained, and trustees were appointed to 23 companies. In the investigations, a total suspicious transaction volume of 22 billion 319 million TL was identified, while efforts continue to capture 41 people.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that operations based in Ankara, Istanbul and Edirne were carried out as part of investigations into illegal betting activities and new-generation criminal organizations.
In his statement, Gürlek stated that efforts are ongoing to eliminate the financing sources of criminal organizations and protect young people from criminal structures.
"We are determined to protect our streets from criminal organizations, our young people from criminal gangs and the illegal betting trap," Gürlek said, reporting that the operations were carried out under the coordination of 3 separate Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices.
OPERATION IN 18 PROVINCES BASED IN ANKARA: 55 DETENTIONS
Within the scope of the illegal betting investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an operation was organized in 18 provinces based in Ankara targeting 79 suspects and 23 companies.
In the investigation, structures providing software and call center services for illegal betting activities, as well as money movements related to the transfer of criminal proceeds through companies and crypto assets, were scrutinized.
While 55 suspects were detained in the operations, it was reported that efforts continue to capture 24 fugitive suspects.
SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTION VOLUME OF 21 BILLION 319 MILLION TL
Striking details also emerged regarding the financial dimension of the investigation in Ankara.
According to the report of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the total volume of suspicious transactions examined within the scope of the investigation was determined to be 21 billion 319 million TL.
While investigations continue into the transfer of criminal proceeds, assessed to have been obtained from illegal betting activities, through companies and crypto assets, trustees were appointed to 23 companies within the scope of the investigation.
CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION OPERATION IN 30 PROVINCES BASED IN ISTANBUL
In the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, work was carried out regarding new-generation criminal organizations using young people in criminal acts.
Within the scope of the investigation, following findings that people recruited over the internet were directed to criminal acts through messaging groups, a simultaneous operation was organized in 30 provinces based in Istanbul.
In the operations, it was aimed to take action against a total of 100 people, 34 of whom are children driven into crime.
87 PEOPLE DETAINED, 31 OF THEM CHILDREN
In the Istanbul-based operations, a total of 87 people were detained, 31 of whom are children driven into crime.
It was announced that efforts continue to capture the other 13 people for whom proceedings have been initiated.
It was stated that findings were being examined in the investigation regarding criminal organizations organizing people through messaging groups and directing them to criminal acts.
MONEY MOVEMENT OF 1 BILLION TL IN EDIRNE
In another illegal betting investigation conducted by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, high-value money movements in bank accounts were taken under examination.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was determined that the bank accounts of 12 suspects had a total transaction volume of 1 billion TL in just the last month.
Following these findings, an operation was organized in 5 provinces based in Edirne targeting 12 suspects.
While 8 suspects were detained in the operations, it was reported that efforts continue to capture the other 4 suspects.
150 DETENTIONS IN 3 INVESTIGATIONS, 41 SUSPECTS BEING SOUGHT
According to the data announced by Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, operations were carried out against a total of 191 people in 3 separate investigations based in Ankara, Istanbul and Edirne.
While 150 people were detained in the operations, it was reported that efforts continue to capture 41 suspects.
The total suspicious transaction volume identified in the Ankara and Edirne investigations reached 22 billion 319 million TL. This amount does not represent an amount finalized directly as criminal proceeds, but the total of the money movements subject to examination.
GÜRLEK: ALL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS WILL SEE THE POWER OF OUR STATE
In his statement, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek emphasized that the fight against criminal organizations will continue with determination.
Gürlek said, "Whatever the type, method or field of activity of the crime, all criminal organizations will see the power of our state! We will dry up the economic resources of criminal organizations, narrow their fields of activity and continue our fight without compromise."
Thanking the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices, law enforcement forces and relevant institutions that coordinated the operations, Gürlek concluded his words as follows:
"We will fight with determination to eradicate criminal organizations and illegal betting networks and to protect the peace of our streets and the future of our young people!"