Operation Against New Generation Criminal Organizations in 58 Provinces: 348 Detentions
In an operation conducted in 58 provinces under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior, 348 suspects determined to organize contract killings via social media were captured.
348 suspects were detained in an operation targeting new generation criminal organizations held in 58 provinces under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior.
Initiated upon the instructions of Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi, the operation was carried out with broad coordination across Turkey. The National Intelligence Organization (MİT), the General Directorate of Security (EGM) Intelligence Department, and the Department of Cyber Crimes supported the efforts coordinated by the EGM Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) Presidency and chief public prosecutor's offices. Structures on digital channels were deciphered through cyber and field tracking.
It was determined that the 348 captured suspects shared posts on communication platforms via secret groups to procure hitmen and accept contract killing jobs. It was detected that the suspects attempted to normalize criminal activities by publishing videos containing praise of crime and criminals, threats, insults, and organizational propaganda through social media accounts, and aimed to recruit members for the organization by targeting young people.
During the searches within the scope of the operation, 42 handguns, 35 rifles, 26 blank-firing pistols, one stick of dynamite, one anti-aircraft ammunition, and 2,865 cartridges were seized.