Turkey: 200+ nabbed for alleged terrorist financing

ISTANBUL 

Over 200 people were arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of financial crimes, including financing terrorism, according to Istanbul prosecutors.

In an Istanbul-based operation, police in 40 provinces across Turkey arrested 216 out of 417 people sought by warrant.

They face possible charges of attempting to establish a criminal organization, money laundering, and financing terrorism.

Since Jan. 1, 2017, the suspects allegedly sent nearly 2.5 billion Turkish liras (nearly $420 million) to over 28,000 bank accounts abroad from various bank branches and ATMs.

Most of the transfers’ recipients were identified as Iranian nationals living in the U.S.

Reporting by Halil Demir:Writing by Merve Aydogan