Kalashnikov-carrying police raid Gülen-inspired girls’ dormitory


Date posted: September 30, 2015

Police officers carrying Kalashnikov rifles conducted a raid at a girls’ school dormitory in eastern Van province on Sunday, a move that is seen as part of an ongoing government-orchestrated operation targeting the faith-based Gülen movement, popularly known as the Hizmet movement.

According to the news website merkurhaber.com, the raid on the Private Azimet Secondary School girls’ dormitory was based on claims that the school had collected the hides of animals sacrificed during the Eid al-Adha holiday, and was carried out by police officers from the local anti-smuggling and organized crime bureau at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday under the leadership of Van Province Police Commissioner Ateş Taflı. Despite having been asked for yet failing to present a search warrant, police officers conducted a search of the dining hall, accompanied by attorneys representing the dormitory. At the conclusion of the search, the officers reported, “No evidence of illegal activity was detected with regard to the dormitory.” The police officers left the school around 5:30 p.m.

A recent government circular sent to police departments across Turkey told police to seize the hides of any animals sacrificed during the Eid al-Adha holiday collected on behalf of the “Fethullah Gülen terrorist organization” (FETÖ) — a derogatory term President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his political associates use to disparage the faith-based Gülen movement, a civil society organization.

During the Eid al-Adha holiday, millions of Muslims slaughter animals as a reminder of the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to God as an act of obedience and submission. The meat, offal and hides of more than 2.6 million animals — including cattle, sheep and goats – that are sacrificed across Turkey during Eid al-Adha, create a TL 10 billion market.

The raid is seen as part of a nationwide crackdown on institutions and individuals sympathetic to the Hizmet movement, which is inspired by the teachings of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen. While serving as prime minister, Erdoğan accused the Gülen movement of plotting to overthrow his government and in May 2014 Erdoğan said he would carry out a “witch hunt” against anyone with links to the movement. Erdoğan has also ordered officials in Justice and Development Party (AK Party)-run municipalities to seize land and buildings belonging to the Gülen movement by any means necessary. The movement strongly rejects the allegations and no indictment has been brought against it.

Source: Today's Zaman , September 29, 2015


Related News

Australian NGOs support Gülen against PM Erdoğan’s insults

Erhan Bozkurt, a director at AUF, spoke at the press conference, which representatives from the federation’s 38 NGOs, which have been operating all over Australia for 25 years, attended. The Turkish community in Australia, Bozkurt said, was deeply wounded by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s insulting language toward both Gülen and the members of his movement, stating that no other religious scholar has been targeted by this many acts of defamation in recent history.

Opposition deputy seeks answers on gov’t ban on Kimse Yok Mu

A lawmaker from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has directed questions at Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on why the government banned charity group Kimse Yok Mu from collecting donations. In a formal parliamentary question, CHP Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrıkulu asked Davutoğlu to explain the legal grounds for the government decision dated Sept. 22 to rescind Kimse Yok Mu’s permission to collect charitable donations

Auto companies from 27 countries join TUSKON summit

Representatives of automotive manufacturing companies from 27 countries were in the city of Konya on Tuesday to participate in a trade and investment summit organized by the Turkish Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists (TUSKON).

Samanyolu TV, Kimse Yok Mu raise TL 65 million for quake victims

A total of TL 65,056,527 ($37 million) was donated during a live fundraising telecast on local Samonyolu TV channels and radio stations. More than 9,000 people reached out in support of the earthquake victims by sending SMS text messages during the telethon.

Özfatura: Erdoğan does not want civil society that is not pro-AK Party

Dr. Burhan Özfatura was witnessed the meetings of former President Turgut Özal and former Prime Minister Tansu Çiller with Fethullah Gülen. He says: “Both asked what they can do for him. Gülen told them not to believe anybody who asks for a favor by referring to himself.”

Turkish delegation visits Crimea Simferopol International School

As a part of the publicity efforts for “Eskisehir 2013 Capital of Turkic Culture” project in Crimea, a delegation from Eskisehir province of Turkey visited Simferopol International School in Crimea. Eskisehir Governor Kadir Kocdemir, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Eskisehir Deputy Ulker Can, Republican People’s Party Eskisehir Deputy Kazim Kurt, Turkish Consul General to […]

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Hizmet unmasks ‘undemocratic’ Erdogan

Gov’t to destroy 216K math, science textbooks published by Hizmet affiliated publishers

Turkish charity delivers sacrificial meat to 30,000 families in Philippines

Academics, civil society call for freer, more diverse universities in new law

Islamabad High Court moved against expected closure of Turkish schools

Pak-Turk Schools: A fate undecided

Erdogan’s persecution: Mother with infant under arrest until husband surrenders self

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News