Turkish ‘cult leader’ and ‘kittens’ arrested

TURKISH police yesterday detained on fraud charges a televangelist notorious for propagating conservative views while surrounded by scantily clad women he refers to as his “kittens”.

Adnan Oktar, a bizarre figure who also denies evolution, was detained alongside dozens of mainly female alleged supporters on accusations of fraud, bribery and sexual assault.

Mr Oktar, who critics see as a cult leader, gained notoriety for his programmes on the online A9 television channel and has regularly been denounced by Turkey’s religious leaders.

He presented programmes surrounded by scantily dressed and heavily made-up women whom he dubbed “kittens”. In a major crackdown on his group, he was taken into custody in Istanbul as part of a probe by the city’s financial crimes unit, state-run Anadolu news agency said.

A total of 235 arrest warrants were issued and at least 166 people had been detained so far in helicopter-backed raids in Istanbul, Ankara and also southern Turkey, Anadolu said. NTV television said 100 of those detained were women.

Mr Oktar was caught as he was trying to run away, the Istanbul public prosecutor said in a statement quoted by the Hürriyet Daily News. His lawyers were also detained.

He was also accused of “setting up an organisation with the aim of committing crime”, “committing fraud through abuse of religious belief and sentiment”, Anadolu said.

Mr Oktar’s assets were seized, Anadolu said, adding that authorities appointed a trustee to his companies, associations and foundations.

Weapons including guns and rifles were also found, the agency said.

Before officers took him for a medical check, Mr Oktar told waiting media that the claims were “lies”, adding: “This is a game by the British deep state.”

He often rails against the so-called “British deep state” in his programme and in one video, he says it has “sneakily disguised itself ” and is linked to criminal groups.