Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office Detains 18 in 'Street Rights' Operation

Under the direction of Istanbul's Chief Prosecutor's Office, simultaneous raids were conducted in Istanbul and Kars as part of the 'Streets Are Safe' operation; 18 of 26 suspects with arrest warrants were detained.

The operation targeted an organization that collected extortion from shopkeepers and business owners under the name 'street rights,' shooting at or attacking the establishments and owners of those who refused to pay. Charges against the suspects include attempted murder, criminal organization, aggravated robbery, and property damage.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated on his social media account that today's operation is part of a broader process, announcing that legal proceedings have been initiated against a total of 2,447 suspects this year.

The 'street rights' extortion in Istanbul did not come to light for the first time with this operation: in 2024, multiple waves of detentions occurred on similar extortion allegations, though the organization was reported to have continued its activities. Eight individuals remain at large.