Former minister to testify in probe linked to Süleymancılar group leader

An investigation into the Süleymancılar religious community has expanded to include former Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin, who is slated to give testimony. The probe centers on allegations that a vehicle officially allocated to Şahin was involved in an attempt to facilitate the escape of Hilmi Tuna Kuriş, the leader of the Süleymancılar group, out of Turkey.

Sources indicate that during the investigation, it was discovered that a vehicle registered under Şahin's name was utilized in an effort to smuggle Hilmi Tuna Kuriş, who is currently detained, abroad. The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is reportedly seeking Şahin's statement regarding the vehicle's use and related developments.

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I rented the vehicle to use when I went to Istanbul. I had an agreement with the company to keep the vehicle in the parking lot when I was not using it.

Further complicating the matter, two additional vehicles allocated to Şahin have also come under scrutiny. According to the investigation file, these vehicles were allegedly used for purposes beyond their intended allocation. One individual, identified as Ömür Yücel, who reportedly used one of these vehicles, has been taken into custody.

The vehicles first gained attention when they were linked to the apprehension of Hilmi Tuna Kuriş and another individual, Erhan Yılmaz, on August 21 in Muğla. The vehicle used in that instance was registered to San Sistem Lojistik Bilişim İletişim ve Güvenlik Sistemleri Limited Şirketi but had been assigned to İdris Naim Şahin from December 17, 2025, to December 17, 2030. Şahin has previously stated that he rented the vehicle for his use in Istanbul and had an agreement with the company to keep it parked when not in use, asserting he was unaware of its misuse and had filed a criminal complaint against the rental company's owner.

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I do not know Kuriş and Yılmaz. The vehicle was used without my knowledge.