Courts Under Siege: How Turkey’s “New Generation” Gangs are Challenging the State

A violent outburst in a Turkish courtroom has sparked a national debate over the escalating boldness of organized crime. During a high-profile trial of the Barış Boyun and “Daltonlar” (The Daltons) gangs, defendants turned the courtroom into a battlefield, throwing chairs and forcing gendarmerie forces to intervene with tear gas.

According to veteran investigative journalist Cengiz Erdinç, this is not merely a courtroom scuffle; it is a sign that organized crime in Turkey has undergone a “structural evolution” that now poses a direct threat to the state’s monopoly on power.

The “Crime Academy” in Prisons

Erdinç highlights a chilling reality: Turkey’s high-security prisons, particularly the Silivri complex, have transformed into what he calls a “Turkish Crime Academy.” * The Silivri Factor: Most members of the notorious Barış Boyun and Daltonlar gangs passed through Silivri Prison No. 5. Instead of rehabilitation, these facilities facilitate networking and the radicalization of young recruits.

• The “Vory v Zakone” Model: Erdinç draws parallels to the Russian “Thieves in Law” (Vory v Zakone), who developed rigid rituals and codes within the Soviet Gulag system to survive and eventually challenge the state. He warns that similar “prison-grown” structures are now deeply embedded in Turkey.

A Generational Shift: Younger, Faster, Deadlier

The “New Generation” of gangs is significantly younger and more tech-savvy than the traditional “mafia” families of the past.

• The Age Gap: While traditional groups (like the Sarallar) have an average member age of 35–48, the new street-based gangs are dominated by youths aged 19 to 25.

• Tech-Savvy Operations: These groups use the “Dark Web,” encrypted communication, and “armed propaganda” via TikTok to recruit and intimidate. Erdinç dismisses the idea that these youths are merely “tricked”; he argues they are making a calculated choice in a “crime ecology” where legitimate prospects are seen as non-existent.

The “Crime Ecology” and the State

Erdinç argues that organized crime thrives when the boundaries between the state, the judiciary, and the private sector become blurred.

• The Transparency Vacuum: The Turkish Ministry of Interior has not published a comprehensive organized crime report for two years. This lack of data creates a “black hole” where gangs operate with a perceived sense of impunity.

• Money Laundering and Media: The influx of “black money” into the media and entertainment sectors is a critical concern. Erdinç points to the rise of new media channels with no clear revenue streams as a primary vehicle for laundering criminal proceeds through high-budget film and TV productions.

National Security or Political Infighting?

While the government has increased operations against these “barons” recently, Erdinç remains skeptical about the ultimate goal. He notes that the lack of judicial independence leads many to believe these crackdowns are the result of political infighting rather than a genuine effort to clean up the state.

“Organized crime is now a national security issue,” Erdinç warns. “Whether it is through illegal betting, drug trafficking, or money laundering, these structures are feeding off a system where the certainty of punishment has disappeared.”

PA Turkey intends to inform Turkey watchers with diverse views and opinions. Articles on our website may not necessarily represent the view of our editorial board or count as endorsement.

Follow our English YouTube channel (REAL TURKEY): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKpFJB4GFiNkhmpVZQ_d9Rg

Twitter: @AtillaEng

Facebook: Real Turkey Channel: https://www.facebook.com/realturkeychannel/