Galatasaray Ultra Leader Arrested: Nearly €1 Million in Cash, Gold, and Weapons Seized

Turkish law enforcement seized over 840,000 euros in cash, alongside substantial quantities of gold, foreign currency, and protective equipment during an eight-hour raid at the residence of Sebahattin Sirin, the leader of the ultrAslan supporter group of Galatasaray, according to reports from Turkish news agencies DHA and IHA.

Raid Uncovers Cash, Gold, and Tactical Gear in Istanbul

Police searched the Istanbul home of the Galatasaray ultra leader on Monday, uncovering more than 840,000 euros in cash alongside gold, jewelry, and foreign currencies valued at over 300,000 euros. According to coverage from Eurosport citing Turkish media reports, law enforcement officials also recovered a handgun, ammunition, and four ballistic vests during the operation, which lasted more than eight hours.

Sirin was taken into police custody on Sunday. Turkish authorities have accused the ultra leader of involvement in black-market ticket sales, public disorder inside sporting venues, and the public dissemination of false information.

Social Media Accusations Against the Minister of Justice

The arrest followed a public statement posted by Sirin on the social media platform X just a day prior. In the post, he accused Turkish Minister of Justice Akin Gürlek of belonging to a faction within the state aiming to secure the title for Fenerbahçe during the current campaign. Neither the Ministry of Justice nor Fenerbahçe, the cross-town rival of Galatasaray, issued public responses to the accusation.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has not yet clarified whether Sirin’s arrest is directly connected to a legal complaint filed in 2024 by the president of Galatasaray concerning allegations of black-market ticket sales.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

As the legal process moves forward, authorities continue to review the seized assets and digital communications recovered from the residence. No formal trial date has been announced by the Istanbul court system, and further updates are expected from local prosecutors as the investigation into ticket scalping and public disorder proceeds.