An operation targeting Alihan Kuriş's profit-driven criminal organization was conducted simultaneously across 17 provinces, particularly Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. The operation included plans to detain 49 suspects and conduct searches and seizures at addresses linked to the suspects and at company premises.
Thirty suspects, including Alihan Kuriş, were detained in the operations. Nine suspects were found to be abroad, while efforts to apprehend 10 others continued.
Searches and seizures were carried out at a total of 80 locations, including 43 addresses linked to suspects and premises belonging to 33 companies.
Scope of the investigation
According to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the investigation concerns the establishment and management of a criminal organization, membership in a criminal organization, laundering proceeds of crime, fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations, and violations of the Tax Procedure Law.
As part of the investigation, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) prepared a report on the suspects and the companies belonging to the criminal organization. The report stated that financial transaction volumes had increased significantly after 2020 at a substantial portion of the companies, and that company splits and transfers had been carried out.
Findings in the MASAK report
The report found that new companies had been established with high levels of capital, that some companies operated in different provinces, and that their fields of activity differed from those of the companies that had been split. It also noted that some companies had no resources apart from their capital and did not engage in active commerce, while affiliated companies were financed.
Transfers through payment institutions and substantial cash activity were identified at most of the companies. The report stated that company partners had transferred large amounts of cash whose source required explanation, that the money had been used in capital increases, and that high-value transfers had been made between company accounts.
The report also stated that the companies' records of goods purchases and sales included high-value transactions with various legal entities, and that these transactions were notable in terms of possible false invoicing. It also recorded findings of foreign-currency transfers abroad that were inconsistent with the records in some company accounts, as well as high tax refunds received by some companies.
