Turkey: Turkish police have seized 200 kg of gold ingots as part of a money laundering investigation targeting a criminal group led by the head of the Sleymancilar sect, Alihan Kuris, reported the TRT Haber channel.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the gold bars were discovered during a search of the home of Mr. Kuris's brother. Their value is estimated at 1.34 billion Turkish lira, or approximately $28 million. The origin of the gold remains unknown at this stage, the channel reports.

TRT Haber also reported that 32 of the 38 suspects arrested on August 13, 2026, including the sect leader, have been placed in pretrial detention, while the other six have been placed under judicial supervision.

Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci had previously announced that the Ankara prosecutor's office had issued arrest warrants for 43 people in connection with the case, some of whom are abroad. Court-appointed administrators have also been assigned to manage companies controlled by the sect.

Founded in the mid-20th century, the Sleymancilar sect is influential in Turkey. It has considerable financial resources both domestically and internationally and operates centers for the study of the Quran.