Operation in 6 provinces based in Adana: Trustees appointed to 5 companies in the Kuytulcular investigation

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek; In his statement on his social media account, he announced that simultaneous operations were carried out at 49 addresses in 6 provinces centered in Adana and that trustees were appointed to 5 companies.

Minister Gürlek stated that judicial proceedings were initiated against 32 suspects and that a decision was made to block access to 349 social media accounts that were found to be operating in favor of the organization.

Gürlek said, "In the investigation, the criminal activities of the structure known publicly as 'Kuytulcular' and the revenues found to be obtained from these activities have been scrutinized. I would especially like to emphasize that this investigation is not about any religious group, belief, thought or lawful activity, but the concrete criminal acts reflected in the file, victim and witness statements, allegations of organizational pressure and financial evidence. We will continue our fight against criminal organizations and the revenues obtained from crime with determination." he said.

WHAT ARE THE ACCUSES?

To the suspects; Based on complainant and witness statements, financial analyses, bank movements, digital materials and other evidence, accusations of establishing and managing a criminal organization, membership in an organization, laundering of assets resulting from crime, qualified fraud, forgery of official documents and violation of the Tax Procedure Law are being made.

Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on January 30, 2018, simultaneous operations were carried out at many addresses in Adana, Elazığ and Niğde, including the headquarters of the foundation and the homes of the managers. Many people, including Kuytul, were detained.

Kuytul and four others were arrested on February 9, 2018, as part of the investigation.

Kuytul, who was detained for about a year, was released on January 24, 2019, but was re-arrested upon the objection of the prosecutor's office.

Kuytul was later acquitted in 2020 in a separate trial on charges of "knowingly and willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization without being a member" and "terrorist organization propaganda".