Exhumation ordered in investigation into death of former Turkish minister and religious leader

A critical development has occurred in the investigation into the suspicious death of Arif Ahmet Denizolgun, a former Transport Minister and a key figure in the Süleymancılar religious community. Following a request from the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a court has ordered the exhumation of Denizolgun's remains. Denizolgun, who was also a politician, passed away on September 8, 2016, in Istanbul. His death was attributed to a brain hemorrhage, reportedly caused by high blood pressure. He was laid to rest at Karacaahmet Cemetery after funeral prayers at Üsküdar Selimiye Mosque. Denizolgun's lineage connected him to the founder of the Süleymancılar, Süleyman Hilmi Tunahan, as his grandson. He also took on a leadership role within the community for a period. His political career began with the Welfare Party, and he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Antalya in 1995. He later served as the Minister of Transport in the coalition government led by Mesut Yılmaz, known as ANASOL-D, from August 1998 to January 1999, holding the position as an independent minister. He also held positions on the NATO Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. Denizolgun made attempts to re-enter parliament in 2002 and 2007 with the Motherland Party and Democrat Party, respectively, but was unsuccessful. Following Denizolgun's death, his nephew, Alihan Kuriş, assumed leadership of the Süleymancılar community.