An investigation into an alleged criminal organization led by Alihan Kuriş has expanded with new witness testimony detailing an alleged money-transfer network operating through Romania and the discovery of a closed communication system used by thousands of members, according to reports Tuesday.

According to a report by Sabah newspaper, investigators obtained testimony from G.K., who said he was previously a partner in a döner restaurant chain in Romania through an acquaintance and provided authorities with details about the group’s alleged operations in the country.

The investigation, led by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, is examining allegations including leading a criminal organization, aggravated fraud, violations of tax law and laundering assets derived from crime.

G.K. identified Ahmet Uğur Pakcan, described as Kuriş’s jailed “right-hand man,” as the group’s alleged representative in Romania and a key figure overseeing its activities across the Balkans.

According to the testimony, Pakcan managed a significant financial network through businesses including the Dristor Döner restaurant chain and Dristor currency exchange offices in Bucharest.

The witness also alleged that Pakcan was the sole official responsible for a student dormitory linked to the group in the Romanian capital, which investigators suspect played a role in its financial operations.

G.K. claimed students staying at the dormitory were used to transfer large amounts of money between Türkiye and Romania.

According to his testimony, students traveling to Türkiye for holidays were directed to M.A., a lawyer allegedly linked to the group in Istanbul. Large amounts of U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds were allegedly placed in their luggage before they returned to Romania.

The students were instructed not to open the suitcases until they arrived in Romania, the witness claimed. The money was then allegedly collected in Bucharest by members of the organization and introduced into its financial network.

G.K. also alleged that members and students at the dormitory gathered every Thursday for meetings during which they prayed against the Turkish government.

He said he first learned of the gatherings while visiting Romania and later asked his business partner about them, who confirmed that the meetings took place.

The witness also alleged that Pakcan and Kuriş held secret meetings at a villa complex in the northwestern Turkish province of Bolu.

He described the Binbir Evler Villa complex in Bolu’s Gövem village area as a coordination center for the group and claimed that money collected through illicit means was stored there.

G.K. further claimed Pakcan attended the funeral of Fetullah Gülen, the U.S.-based ringleader of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), on Kuriş’s instructions, adding that Pakcan’s international travel records could corroborate the trip.

Secret network uncovered

Investigators have also uncovered a closed communication and data system called “Glooper,” allegedly used by the group’s senior ranks.

Digital examinations found that Glooper was unavailable through standard platforms such as Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store and could not be accessed by the general public, according to the investigation.

The system was allegedly developed specifically in India on Kuriş’s instructions and was made available to an estimated 3,300 people in the group’s management structure.

Investigators found that Glooper served not only as a messaging platform but also as digital infrastructure for managing information related to dormitories, personnel, administrative activities and financial affairs.

Instructions from senior figures and other sensitive information were also allegedly transmitted through the system.

Three-stage security system

Investigators said access to Glooper was protected by a three-stage authentication mechanism involving a password, biometric verification and external authorization.

As a result, possession of a user’s password or device alone would not provide access to the system, according to the findings. Users also had to complete biometric verification and receive an additional external authorization.

Authorities believe the measures were intended to restrict access to previously approved users and maintain a tightly controlled communication network.

Investigators also found that encrypted email was allegedly used for communication with religious instructors within a separate internal system, while Glooper was primarily reserved for management-level communication, administrative operations and data processing.

The discovery has drawn comparisons with ByLock, the encrypted messaging application used by FETÖ members.

Authorities have not established that Glooper and ByLock share the same technical infrastructure. However, investigators have pointed to similarities in their closed-user networks and encrypted communication features. Glooper differed in that its alleged user base was restricted largely to some 3,300 members of the organization’s management structure.

The latest developments follow the emergence of Kuriş’s testimony in the investigation.

Kuriş, who said his monthly income was TL 380,000 (nearly $8,000), reportedly described a large quantity of gold and jewelry seized from his home as “family savings.”

He denied all allegations against him during questioning by police and prosecutors and characterized the investigation as an attempt to damage his reputation.

Authorities previously identified a total of 191 properties registered in the names of members of the Kuriş family as part of the investigation.

Kuriş described himself to prosecutors as the grandson, heir and representative of Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan, an influential 20th-century Islamic scholar, and said he was a community leader.

Alihan Kuriş, the de facto leader of a group known publicly as “Süleymancılar,” was remanded in custody on Sunday, along with other suspects.

The group originated as a religious movement named after 20th-century Islamic scholar Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan, Kuriş’ great-grandfather.

Initially operating through informal religious instruction in homes and mosques, the group later expanded across Türkiye through Quran courses and student dormitories, largely financed by membership contributions and donations. Over time, its activities expanded into commercial sectors including food, healthcare, tourism, textiles, construction and real estate.

A landmark law establishing the legal framework for Türkiye’s ongoing terror-free initiative entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette, marking a new phase in Ankara’s efforts to end decades of PKK terrorism and strengthen social cohesion.

The Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration was approved by Parliament last week following months of political consultations over the government’s “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative. The 12-article legislation received broad parliamentary backing, with 468 lawmakers voting in favor, 88 against and six abstaining.

The legislation lays out legal procedures for members of the PKK terrorist group who lay down their arms and surrender to Turkish authorities as the organization moves toward dissolution and disarmament. It includes provisions allowing the deferral of prosecution or prison sentences in certain circumstances, while establishing different legal procedures depending on an individual’s position within the organization and involvement in criminal activity.

The law does not constitute a general amnesty and does not eliminate existing convictions, change the legal classification of crimes or broadly remove criminal liability, according to the justification accompanying the legislation.

Its passage represents one of the most consequential legislative steps yet in the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative, which gained momentum after the PKK announced its dissolution and began taking steps toward disarmament. The government has described the process as an effort to permanently remove terrorism from Türkiye’s agenda while reinforcing national unity and social integration.

The initiative emerged from a political process spearheaded by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli. Parliament subsequently established a multiparty commission to provide a political and legal framework for the process and hear views from political parties, civil society representatives, families of fallen soldiers and other stakeholders.

The legislation was submitted to Parliament on Aug. 5 before being considered by the Justice Committee and sent to the General Assembly, where lawmakers approved it ahead of Parliament’s recess.

The process has also involved talks between government officials and representatives of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). Erdoğan last week received DEM Party lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, members of the party’s Imralı delegation, and separately met with families of fallen soldiers and veterans as Ankara sought to maintain broad political and public support for the initiative.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sat down with Al-Jazeera Arabic as his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) marks its 25th anniversary and the Turkish leader boosts his influence in the wider region.

The interview, scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday evening, touched upon regional issues and Türkiye’s role amid tensions in the Middle East. On the landmark Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan that he signed earlier this month, Erdoğan underlined that Egypt might join the pact. The president also renewed Ankara’s commitment to the stability of Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, while hinting that he may visit Syria soon, two years after the fall of the Baathist regime following a popular revolution.

Under Erdoğan, Türkiye has pivoted toward a greater role in the Middle East, with which it shares a common heritage. Over the past two decades, it has evolved into a key diplomatic actor rather than a mere bystander.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which Erdoğan signed in the birthplace of Islam alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is one result of Türkiye’s rising diplomatic profile.

Under the pact, the three countries plan to establish strategic political and military mechanisms involving their defense and foreign ministers, as well as their chiefs of general staff or armed forces commanders. Military cooperation is expected to expand gradually, beginning with command-post and field exercises before progressing to joint drills involving land, naval and air forces, air defense assets and unmanned systems.

One highlight of the agreement is that an attack on one party will be viewed as an attack on all. The signatories reject claims that it poses a threat to other regional countries, and since the signing, Turkish officials, primarily Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, have emphasized that the pact is open to expansion.

Egypt, another key actor in the region, emerged in rumors regarding potential expansion. Erdoğan confirmed this in his interview with Al-Jazeera Arabic, stating that Cairo could join them. “This agreement has sent an important message to the world,” Erdoğan was quoted as saying.

The three countries in the defense agreement have been stepping up relations in recent years. To an extent, the deal is part of Türkiye’s vision of cementing unity among Muslim countries. Erdoğan himself has repeatedly highlighted the need to achieve this unity, particularly in the face of Israel’s expansionist policies that target more and more countries in the region. At one point, Erdoğan implied in a speech that Türkiye may very well be a future target for Israel’s genocidal regime.

The president vowed that Türkiye would not abandon its neighbors, especially amid regional turmoil. On Syria, he said they were doing everything to support stability in the post-Assad period. He also declared his plans to visit Syria. Erdoğan had earlier hinted at a visit to the country; if it happens, it will be his first visit to Syria as president.

Türkiye enjoys good relations with its southern neighbor, Syria, following the ousting of the Baathist regime in 2024. Most Turkish ministers, including Fidan, have visited Damascus over the past two years. Turkish Ambassador to Syria Nuh Yılmaz also confirmed plans for Erdoğan’s visit in an interview with Al-Jazeera on Saturday.

“We hope that our president will be in Damascus before the end of this year,” Yılmaz stated, noting that Erdoğan loved Damascus and its landmark Umayyad Mosque. “Seeing Mr. Erdoğan and Mr. (Syrian President Ahmed) al-Sharaa together in the Umayyad Mosque would be a historic sight, a declaration of the two countries’ strategic partnership,” Yılmaz added.

In the Al-Jazeera interview, Erdoğan also highlighted the importance of Syria’s Kurdish community having a share of peace and stability in the new era, underlining that they would continue strengthening ties with Kurdish communities across the region. Syria recently made progress on a deal with the YPG, the Syrian wing of the PKK terrorist group, for its integration into the post-Assad state. Damascus also started restoring the rights of the Kurdish community, which the YPG claimed to represent.

Türkiye itself is pursuing a “terror-free Türkiye” initiative for the disarmament of the PKK, which has exploited disadvantaged Kurds for decades to cultivate recruits for its cause of a so-called “Kurdistan” in southeastern Türkiye. The “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, first proposed by government ally Devlet Bahçeli of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), primarily aims to “reinforce the home front against external threats through Turkish-Kurdish unity,” as Bahçeli and Erdoğan have repeatedly emphasized in the past.

On Gaza, Erdoğan said that Ankara will continue to back Palestine and will continue its support. He criticized Israel for failing to adhere to the cease-fire and underlined that Hamas, on the other hand, met its commitments in good faith.

On Lebanon, Erdoğan stated that Israel’s ongoing attacks on the country were a serious source of concern, noting that he raised the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during the latter’s visit to Ankara last month for a NATO summit.

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Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has marked its 25th anniversary by highlighting a series of labor and social security reforms introduced during its time in government, including expanded health coverage, stronger worker protections and changes that allowed millions to retire.

One of the earliest major changes came with the Labor Law adopted in 2003, which established regulations covering employment contracts, overtime, leave and job security while providing a legal framework for flexible employment models.

A broader overhaul followed with the consolidation of the Social Insurance Institution (SSK), Bağ-Kur and the Retirement Fund under the Social Security Institution (SGK). The move sought to eliminate differences in premium collection, retirement procedures and access to health services.

Türkiye subsequently introduced General Health Insurance (GSS), expanding health coverage across the population and creating a common financing structure for medicine, examinations and treatment.

Access to health care was further transformed through digital services, including the Central Physician Appointment System and electronic prescriptions, reducing procedures that previously required patients to wait in long lines for medical services and medication.

Labor protections also expanded during the period. Türkiye adopted its first standalone Occupational Health and Safety Law in 2012, requiring employers to conduct risk assessments, prepare emergency plans and provide employee training. Workplace safety specialists and physicians also became mandatory in covered workplaces.

The government introduced additional protections for underground mine workers, limiting working hours to 7.5 hours a day and 37.5 hours a week while requiring wages to be at least twice the minimum wage.

Changes also affected public-sector employment. Around 900,000 subcontracted public workers gained permanent worker status following reforms launched in 2017, while a 2023 measure allowed hundreds of thousands of contracted public employees to move into civil servant positions.

One of the most consequential recent measures was the 2023 retirement-age reform, commonly known as EYT. The regulation removed the age requirement for eligible workers who had met other pension conditions. About 2.6 million people have since retired under the measure.

The government also abolished income and stamp taxes on the minimum wage beginning in 2022 and expanded additional pension indicators for civil servants, including teachers, police officers, nurses and religious officials.

Since 2018, millions of retirees have also received bonuses ahead of the Ramadan and Qurban Bayram holidays.

Reforms targeting women included expanded maternity-related borrowing toward retirement, part-time work opportunities following maternity leave and broader unpaid leave provisions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary restrictions on dismissals were introduced, while short-time working allowances and cash assistance programs were expanded to limit employment losses.

The government also introduced employment incentives targeting women, young people, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed.

Union rights were expanded as well. A 2010 constitutional amendment granted public employees collective bargaining rights, while the unionization rate among public servants rose from 47.94% in July 2002 to 77.96% in July 2026.

The measures form part of a broader transformation of Türkiye’s labor and social security system over more than two decades of AK Party governments.

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Hamas on Monday welcomed a joint statement by Türkiye and seven other countries calling on Israel to implement the Gaza plan, while urging further international political and diplomatic action to pressure Israel over the road map.

In a written statement, Hamas welcomed the position taken by the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who accused Israel of obstructing efforts to end the war in Gaza and called for the road map’s implementation.

The Palestinian group said the joint statement should serve as a basis for further diplomatic steps and renewed its call for international action against what it described as Israel’s resistance to implementing the road map for the Gaza Strip.

Hamas described the eight countries’ statement as “extremely important,” highlighting their condemnation of Israel’s rejection of the road map and what the group described as attempts to deny the Palestinian people their right to self-determination.

It said the eight nations’ position represented a critical step for regional peace and stability and called for their demands to be followed by concrete measures at the international level.

Hamas also welcomed the ministers’ insistence on the full and immediate implementation of the road map.

Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE had earlier issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s refusal to complete implementation of the road map linked to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan.

The eight countries said Israel’s position directly jeopardized implementation of the plan and undermined efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.

They also said Israel would bear responsibility for consequences stemming from any rejection, obstruction or delay in implementing the road map, including a deterioration of conditions on the ground and setbacks to efforts to end the war.

The ministers reiterated their support for a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

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The investigation into the alleged Alihan Kuriş organized crime group targets criminal acts rather than religious beliefs or communities, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said on Monday, as Turkish authorities have uncovered tens of billions of liras in financial transactions linked to the case, including several companies.

Gürlek underlined that Türkiye would continue its fight against organized crime regardless of the identity of those involved or the guise under which they operate.

“The fundamental criterion here is not the identity of any belief, religious structure or community, but criminal acts and structures connected to those acts,” Gürlek said in a social media statement. “Faith and religious values can in no way be turned into an instrument or shield for criminal activities.”

He stated that authorities were taking action against groups accused of exploiting citizens’ religious beliefs and sentiments to commit crimes and obtain illicit financial gains, citing the Alihan Kuriş investigation as an example.

The remarks came as details emerged from a 168-page report by Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), which identified extensive domestic and international financial activity involving companies allegedly linked to suspects in the investigation.

According to the report, investigators identified large overseas transactions involving Istanbul Hisar Turizm ve Ticaret AŞ. Transfers to accounts linked to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates alone totaled about TL 8 billion ($167 million), according to the report.

Financial transactions were also recorded with accounts in the United States, Israel, Uzbekistan, India, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Spain, Britain, Jordan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Germany and Albania.

MASAK also highlighted Istanbul Hisar Health Investment and Tourism Trade company, established in November 2025 with capital of more than TL 1.35 billion, despite banking records showing a transaction volume of just TL 34,176 and no recorded gross or net sales.

The report separately detailed millions of dollars transferred from overseas to Akdeniz Toros Et, some of which investigators said were withdrawn in cash shortly after arriving or transferred to other companies.

Authorities said the investigation covers allegations including establishing and leading a criminal organization, membership in a criminal organization, laundering proceeds of crime, fraud against public institutions and violations of tax law.

Thirty-two suspects, including Alihan Kuriş, the de facto leader of a group known publicly as “Süleymancılar,” were remanded in custody on Sunday, along with 31 others.

Authorities searching an address as part of efforts to locate Kuriş’s fugitive brother, Hilmi Tuna Kuriş, also discovered 200 kilograms of gold bars of unexplained origin.

Gürlek said the state would remain equally committed to combating criminal activity and protecting citizens’ freedom of religion and worship.

“Süleymancılar,” a religious community founded by Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan, who was born in Silistra in present-day Bulgaria, traces its roots to the Naqshbandi Sufi tradition.

Initially operating through informal religious instruction in homes and mosques, the group later expanded across Türkiye through Quran courses and student dormitories, largely financed by membership contributions and donations. Over time, its activities expanded into commercial sectors including food, health care, tourism, textiles, construction and real estate.

A report by Türkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) described the group as emerging from the Naqshbandi tradition while not identifying itself as a religious order. The report characterized the community as highly insular, making its views and internal structure difficult to assess.

The community also developed an international presence, particularly after Turkish labor migration to Germany accelerated in the 1960s. It became one of the first Türkiye-based religious groups to establish Quran courses in Europe.

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