Arrested Turkish TV Preacher Tells Police 'Bikini is Enough for Islamic Veiling'

The televangelist Adnan Oktar, who hosts a somewhat feminist talk show, sometimes labeled by media as a “cult,” was arrested during an operation launched by Turkish police earlier this month.

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Testifying before the court, Oktar pleaded not guilty and started preaching on his controversial interpretation of Islam instead.

“Covering where a bikini covers is enough for Islamic veiling. Because this is how it was described in the Quran,” he said, also claiming that Islam only prohibits wine as an alcoholic beverage, while allows drinking vodka or whiskey.

Oktar was detained along with more than 100 of his followers over accusations of fraud, sexual abuse, establishing a criminal organization, Istanbul police headquarters said.

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According to local media, citing unnamed security sources, police had seized 1.5 million Turkish liras ($312,000), 96 pistols, 23 rifles, over 3,000 bullets, luxury cars, six truckloads of historical artifacts and antiques as part of the probe.

In February, Turkey’s radio and television watchdog suspended his show that blended theological discussions and dancing with what he called “kittens,” young women who stick to his somewhat odd version of feminism, citing a violation of gender equality and women’s rights.