5 suspects detained in operation against 'Çirkinler' criminal organization

Under the coordination of the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime Investigation Bureau, 5 suspects have been detained as part of an investigation into an armed criminal organization known publicly as the "Çirkinler" (The Uglies).

The investigation was conducted within the framework of efforts targeting structures described as "new generation armed criminal organizations." According to findings by the prosecutor's office, threatening messages were sent to the owners of Zen Pırlanta on behalf of the criminal organization via foreign-origin phone numbers for the purpose of extortion.

The case file states that organization members went to the hotel where the complainant, Mehmet Diribaş, was staying and attempted to demonstrate the organization's power by providing the hotel staff with Diribaş's personal information. It was noted that at the same time, threatening messages were sent to Diribaş's phone from foreign-origin numbers.

As a result of the work carried out by teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Organized Crime Branch under the coordination of the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 5 suspects believed to have been involved in the act were apprehended and detained.

During searches conducted at the suspects' addresses, a large quantity of narcotics and a precision scale were seized. It was reported that examinations of the confiscated digital materials revealed correspondence of an organizational nature related to the threats and extortion attempts.

Following their processing at the police station, the suspects were referred to the Bakırköy Criminal Court of Peace with a request for their arrest. It was conveyed that the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office emphasized that investigations are continuing against armed criminal organizations and criminal structures aiming to obtain unfair gain through threats, pressure, and intimidation.

News Source: 12punto