Turkish police seize millions of liras in Gülen raids

According to security sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, officers from anti-smuggling and organized crime units raided different addresses in a number of Istanbul districts, including Güngören, Beylikdüzü, Sarıyer and Kadıköy.

During the operation, police seized 3.5 million liras ($1.16 million) in currency, 50 million liras ($16.5 million) in checks, organizational documents and a number of American one dollar bills with an F serial number, which were believed to be used to show membership in FETÖ.

At least 11 people, including a purported leading fundraiser, were also held during the raid. The suspects were accused of having links to the organization.

The money was believed to have been collected as charitable donations from the followers of Fethullah Gülen, the sources said.        

Turkey’s government has repeatedly said the deadly coup attempt, which killed at least 238 people and injured nearly 2,200 others, was organized by the followers of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Gülen.