29.10.2026 19:10
In an operation centered in Istanbul and carried out across 30 provinces targeting a new-generation criminal organization, 89 suspects were caught, 35 of whom are children in the judicial process. It was determined that the organization, whose ringleader is considered to be abroad, recruited members through social media and directed these people to criminal acts in WhatsApp groups. Six handguns and 3 rifles were seized in the searches. It was learned that among those taken into custody was also the father of one of the fugitive organization executives.
Istanbul police carried out a simultaneous nationwide operation against a new-generation criminal organization recruiting members via social media. It was learned that the father of one of the fugitive organization executives was also among those detained.
THERE IS A RED NOTICE DECISION FOR THE RINGLEADER
Teams from the Istanbul Police Department Organized Crime Division, coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and with the support of the Intelligence Division, conducted work targeting new-generation criminal organizations. In the study, a criminal organization operating nationwide and internationally, especially in Istanbul, was identified. While the organization's ringleader was assessed to be abroad, it was determined that a red notice decision had been issued for him.
MEMBERS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA, INSTRUCTIONS FROM WHATSAPP
The teams determined that the organization recruited members through social media platforms. It was revealed that people found through this method were added to WhatsApp groups and directed to carry out criminal acts. The identities and addresses of suspects assessed to be preparing for actions in these groups were identified.
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION IN 30 PROVINCES
The teams carried out a simultaneous operation in Istanbul, Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Aydın, Balıkesir, Batman, Bingöl, Bursa, Eskişehir, Gaziantep, Hatay, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Kayseri, Kilis, Kırşehir, Kocaeli, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Muğla, Muş, Ordu, Samsun, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Tekirdağ, Trabzon and Van. In the operation, 89 suspects were caught, 35 of whom were children drawn into crime. During searches at the addresses, 6 handguns and 3 rifles were seized.
THE FUGITIVE EXECUTIVE'S FATHER IS ALSO DETAINED
It was learned that police teams also searched the addresses of fugitive suspects M.A., M.K. and B.Y., who were assessed to be organization executives. M.A.'s father, H.A., was also among the detained suspects.
THE SUSPECTS WERE TAKEN TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS
The detained suspects were taken to police headquarters for processing.