Are the Idealist Hearths (Ülkü Ocakları) at the center of the Selahattin Yılmaz operation? Allegations of a message to the MHP

In an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, lawyer İsmet Sayhan, the former Chairman of the Board of MKE, was detained in Ankara. It was stated that the allegation against Sayhan, who was taken to Istanbul following searches of his home and workplace, is "espionage."

It has been learned that Sayhan's detention is linked to the file of Selahattin Yılmaz, who is currently imprisoned on charges of establishing a criminal organization.

Selahattin Yılmaz, who is known for his close relations with the MHP community and is accused of being a criminal organization leader, was arrested in Istanbul in recent months. The reason for Yılmaz's detention was the alleged assassination attempt against businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş.

It is alleged that Yılmaz was attempting to dominate the "underground market," which became vacant following the imprisonment of Ayhan Bora Kaplan, through an office he established in Ankara. It is known that during this process, Yılmaz increased his contacts, particularly with figures close to the MHP and the management of the Idealist Hearths (Ülkü Ocakları), and even posed for photographs with certain high-level members of the judiciary and former security bureaucrats.

Along with Yılmaz, lawyer Cem Duman and businessman Turgut Öner were also arrested in the same investigation. According to an article by Tolga Şardan from T24, it is known that Öner has close relations with Idealist Hearths executives and has made appearances at the openings of luxury vehicle sales companies in Ankara.

While it drew attention that MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli referred to Yılmaz as his "fellow idealist" (ülküdaşım), there are also photographs of Sayhan, who was detained after Yılmaz, taken at the MHP Headquarters.

NOT THE FIRST TIME AT MKE

MKE had previously come to the agenda with espionage allegations. In 2016, Mustafa Tanrıverdi, the institution's Arms Factory Manager, was caught while trying to sell the production plans for the MP-5 and MPT-76 model national infantry rifles to the US.

Now, the detention of the institution's former chairman of the board on espionage charges has drawn attention as a new development.

A MESSAGE TO THE MHP AND THE GOVERNMENT?

It is being commented that the detention of Sayhan serves as a response to Bahçeli's "fellow idealist" statement.

In political circles, it is stated that the tension within the People's Alliance, particularly over the judiciary, has moved to a new dimension with this detention.