Turkey Detains 30 in 17-Province Raids on Süleymancılar Sect; 49 Arrest Orders Issued
Turkish authorities have detained 30 people in coordinated raids across 17 provinces targeting the Süleymancılar religious community, with arrest orders issued for a total of 49 individuals [219314]. The operations, centered on the capital Ankara, mark a significant escalation in the state’s crackdown on the group, which has faced renewed scrutiny over its influence in education and religious affairs [219294][219314].
The Süleymancılar, one of Turkey’s oldest religious movements, traces its roots to the 1930s and organizes primarily through student dormitories and Quran courses [219294]. Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) has stated that some of the community’s ideas have no place in the Islamic understanding promoted by the state [219294]. Among those facing arrest is Alihan Kuriş, a prominent figure within the group [219314]. Authorities have not yet released specific details on charges, but the raids represent a significant expansion of the government’s actions against the movement [219294][219314].