Turkish television preacher arrested

amsterdam - The Turkish television preacher Adnan Oktar and more than two hundred of his supporters have been arrested. The Public Prosecution Service in Istanbul has charged Oktar and his followers with participation in a criminal organization, fraud and sexual abuse.

The arrests took place during a large-scale police campaign in no fewer than five Turkish provinces. In the arrest of Oktar himself a skirmish arose between bodyguards of the television preacher and agents. A large batch of weapons would have been found in Oktar's house.

The television preacher is a remarkable personality. Oktar is seen by many Turks as a charlatan. His television shows are a remarkable mix of religious lessons and dancing, scantily clad women. The preacher supports Erdogan, but the Turkish president is not waiting for him in view of the arrests and previous actions against Oktar.

The sect of Oktar caused a stir in the Netherlands earlier this year, when his followers had spread anti-PKK propaganda. In 2016 there was also a fuss after supporters printed homophobic octar papers by letterboxes in Amsterdam-West.

Read more about Adnan Oktar and the activities of his sect in the Netherlands.

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