Civil inspectors probe Ankara police ties with crime group

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced the initiation of a comprehensive investigation into potential links between Ankara police and a criminal syndicate following the suspension of three high-ranking officers.

The suspended officers include Murat Çelik, the deputy provincial police chief in charge of combating organized crime, Kerem Gökay Öner, the branch manager overseeing organized crime investigations and Şevket Demircan, the deputy head of the organized crime branch.

Reports from local media outlets have suggested connections between the scrutinized criminal organization and Ayhan Bora Kaplan, purportedly its leader. Kaplan, previously known to law enforcement, was apprehended last September at Ankara's Esenboğa Airport while attempting to flee the country.

"The relevant report of the property inspectors will be completed in a short time. They are examining every step taken and phone records one by one. We will share this prepared report with the public in full detail," Yerlikaya said in a statement on May 15.

"Whichever institution has a structure against our President [Recep Tayyip Erdoğan], our government and our politicians, we will go to the end, identify those structures and bring them to justice."

The investigation into the group's activities encompasses a wide range of allegations, including the establishment of a criminal network, intentional injury and deprivation of liberty.

"Whoever joins forces with terrorist organizations, their extensions and organized crime syndicates, and tries to "play tricks" on our president, our government and our politicians with FETÖ tactics... we will destroy their games and traps," the minister added.

Meanwhile, the investigation aims to uncover details...