Sevinc Ozarslan
In a series of controversial raids carried out earlier this week in Turkey, the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered police to detain 40 individuals—mostly female university students—accused of having links to the Gülen movement, which the Turkish government designates as a terrorist organization.
Footage released by the Izmir Police Department on its official social media accounts shows scenes from the raids, but raises more questions than it answers. The video curiously avoids showing most of the detained women—many of whom wear headscarves—instead choosing to focus on just two male detainees.
Seized Funds: “Terror Evidence” or Everyday Savings?
Authorities appeared eager to portray the operation as the discovery of a significant financial network. Yet, according to official figures, the total amount of money found across six provinces was modest: €5,225 (approx. 237,884 TL), $6,772 (approx. 267,830 TL), and 222,000 Turkish lira. Spread across approximately 40 homes, that amounts to an average of only 18,000–20,000 TL per household—less than Turkey’s monthly minimum wage.
Sources say some of the seized cash belonged to a young woman preparing for her wedding, set aside in installments for bridal expenses. In one reported incident, a gold bracelet allegedly disappeared from a home without being recorded in official reports. Former detainees have long claimed that some officers pocket personal belongings—cash, jewelry, and even clothing—during these politically motivated raids.
Religious Books Blurred, Prayer Beads Omitted
Another striking feature of the released video was the intentional blurring of religious texts, including Hadith collections, Qur’anic commentaries, and works by Said Nursi. Earlier footage leaked by Demirören News Agency had shown officers rummaging through drawers and uncovering prayer beads. But the official police video omitted these details.
Observers question the motives behind these edits. “Why hide religious books?” asks one source close to the families. “Why blur prayer beads? If these items are irrelevant to the accusations, why show them at all? And if they are relevant, why censor them?”
“No Time for Prayer”
Adding to concerns about rights violations, multiple detainees were reportedly denied the opportunity to pray. Raids were conducted during early morning hours—around dawn—when many observant Muslims perform their morning prayers. Detainees were allegedly told, “You can pray later,” and rushed out of their homes.
In custody, many women were forced to remove their headscarves—standard protocol in Turkish detention facilities. But this led to humiliating situations where women had to appear before male lawyers or pray in their cells without head coverings.
A Show of Force—But for What?
Critics are also questioning the over-the-top nature of the operation. A large number of officers conducted the arrests, and the police chose to set the released video to the bombastic Osman Pasha March, a famous military anthem—turning a controversial crackdown on students into a nationalist performance.
What exactly is happening inside Izmir’s Anti-Terror Branch remains unclear. But as similar stories continue to surface, concerns about religious freedom, due process, and human rights abuses in Turkey’s ongoing crackdown are growing louder.
Further updates to follow as more information becomes available.
