Galatasaray ultras leader Sabahattin Sirin arrested in Turkish investigation

Turkish authorities have arrested Sabahattin Sirin, the historic leader of Galatasaray’s largest supporters’ group, ultrAslan, as part of a wide-ranging investigation led by prosecutors in Istanbul.

Sirin, whose real name is Muzaffer Sirin, is facing a series of serious allegations, including organised fraud linked to the black-market sale of football tickets, possession and use of drugs, spreading misleading information and causing disorder inside sports stadiums.

He was detained on Sunday, one day after publishing a controversial post on X in which he accused Turkey’s Justice Minister Akın Gurlek of being part of “a group within the state that wants to crown Fenerbahce champions this season” at the expense of Galatasaray, the reigning Turkish Super League champions.

Neither Gurlek nor Fenerbahce, Galatasaray’s traditional rivals, has issued an official response to the allegations.

Turkish media reported on Monday that police spent eight and a half hours searching Sirin’s home during the operation. Officers reportedly discovered a large amount of cash and other valuables at the property.

According to details reported by the BBC, the authorities seized more than $1.3m (£970,000) in US currency, along with €840,000, worth about $970,000. They also found quantities of gold and jewellery, cash in several other currencies, a pistol and ammunition, as well as four bulletproof vests.

The arrest has caused a major reaction in Turkish sporting circles because of Sirin’s prominent position within ultrAslan, the influential supporters’ organisation associated with Galatasaray. His detention came amid heightened tension surrounding the club’s rivalry with Fenerbahce and the title race in the Turkish top flight.

The allegations against Sirin cover both financial and public-order offences. Investigators are examining claims that football tickets were sold through an organised black-market operation, while the drug-related accusations concern both possession and use. He is also accused of distributing misleading information and contributing to disturbances at sporting venues.

The investigation is being conducted by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office. No further official details about the case, including the next legal steps or any formal response from Sirin, have been released.

The dispute over the Turkish championship was at the centre of Sirin’s final public post before his arrest. In it, he alleged that people inside the state were working to ensure Fenerbahce won the title rather than Galatasaray. Those claims remain unanswered publicly by the justice minister and Fenerbahce.

The case has therefore drawn attention beyond the supporters’ groups themselves, combining allegations involving ticket sales, drugs and stadium disorder with a politically sensitive accusation about the outcome of the league title race.