An Islamic televangelist fond of being surrounded by scantily clad dancing women he calls his "kittens" has been arrested in Turkey.
Adnan Oktar, better known as Harun Yahya, was arrested at his home in Çengelköy on the Asian side of Istanbul over accusations including forming a criminal gang, fraud and sexual abuse, Istanbul police headquarters said on Wednesday, reports The New Arab.
At least 80 others were also detained during raids across Turkey, police said, with warrants for a total of 235 people.
Oktar is widely regarded as a cult leader. He hosts talk shows on his television channel, A9, on which he has discussed Islamic values and dances with heavily made-up, surgically enhanced young women and sings with young men, his "lions".
According to The New Arab, Oktar first came to media attention in the 1990s when he was the leader of a sect caught up in multiple sex scandals. As a result, he had faced similar criminal charges of setting up a criminal organization.
In February, Turkey's television watchdog suspended a television programme hosted by Oktar that blended theological discussion and dancing, saying it violated gender equality and belittled women.
