Ankara – Turkey’s interior minister declared on Thursday that the state will take decisive action against the Süleymancılar religious network, accusing its senior figures of operating a clandestine communication system reminiscent of the ByLock app used by the Gülen‑affiliated FETÖ organization. The announcement marks the latest high‑profile effort by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government to dismantle groups it deems a threat to national security.
Background on the Süleymancılar network
The Süleymancılar, often described as a loosely organised network of religious schools and community centres, trace their origins to a 20th‑century Sufi tradition that has expanded across Turkey’s urban and rural areas. Critics have long accused the movement of fostering parallel social structures and of maintaining ties to political actors opposed to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). While the group denies any illicit activity, its rapid growth and fundraising practices have drawn scrutiny from the authorities.
Minister’s accusations and the “Blooper” app
In an interview reported by Turkish outlet T24, Interior Minister İdris Çelik said that the leadership of the Süleymancılar, including a figure named Alihan Kuriş, had communicated through a hidden application called “Blooper.” He likened the app to ByLock, the encrypted messaging platform that Turkish prosecutors have used to link thousands of suspects to the FETÖ coup plot of 2016.
“Alihan Kuriş and the organization’s top management communicated through a hidden application called Blooper, similar to the ByLock app used by FETÖ members.”
The minister’s statement implies that the state will treat the alleged use of Blooper as evidence of a coordinated, subversive network, potentially opening the door to mass arrests and asset seizures akin to those applied to former FETÖ affiliates.
Legal and political ramifications
Following the minister’s remarks, prosecutors are expected to file charges of terrorism and organized crime against senior Süleymancılar members. If the case proceeds, it could result in the closure of dozens of affiliated schools and community centres, as well as the freezing of financial assets linked to the movement. The government has not yet disclosed the number of individuals under investigation, but insiders say that a “wide‑ranging” operation is already underway.
President Erdogan has repeatedly framed the fight against FETÖ as a cornerstone of his administration’s security agenda. By extending the same rhetoric to the Süleymancılar, the government signals a broader strategy to curtail any organised civil society that it perceives as a challenge to its authority. Analysts note that the move may also serve to consolidate support among the AKP’s conservative base ahead of the upcoming local elections.
Domestic and international reactions
Human‑rights organisations have urged caution, warning that the use of secret‑app evidence could undermine due‑process guarantees. The European Union’s delegation in Ankara called for “transparent legal procedures” and emphasized the need to respect freedom of association. Within Turkey, opposition parties have denounced the crackdown as an attempt to silence dissenting religious voices, while supporters of the government hailed the announcement as a necessary step to protect national security.
As the investigation unfolds, the Süleymancılar network remains a flashpoint in Turkey’s ongoing struggle between the ruling party’s security‑focused agenda and the country’s pluralistic civil society. The outcome of the case will likely shape the legal landscape for religious organisations and set a precedent for how the state treats groups deemed politically sensitive.
