How did Cyber Police Find “Manyak”?

An Ankara court issued an arrest order on Taylan Kulaçoğlu, a former suspect within RedHack investigation who was released yesterday. Turkey’s cyber police estimates Kulaçoğlu to be “Manyak” - the alias for a RedHack member. 

“Kulaçoğlu was charged with being ‘Manyak’ of RedHack group. However, no evidence is suggested to prove this. We asked the police on how they reached this conclusion. They said they detected him though an elimination process,” advocate Bolaç told bianet. 

bianet interviewed advocate Bolaç on what the police told to the prosecutor.

“One user from France with alias Manyak informed through MIRC that he lost his grandfather and he was facing problems with his military service. We found 600 people according to these criteria. The most geek one turned out to be Taylan Kulaçoğlu, so we detained him,” Turkey’s cyber police said according to Bolaç. 

“Are there 3 different Manyak out there?”

Taylan Kulaçoğlu stated that he lived in France in the meanwhile and has yet to complete his military service.  

“I wasn’t inherited anything through my grandfather. I have a restaurant already, I am not expecting any inheritance.”

Advocate Efkan Bolaç sent the following tweet after the interrogation: “He is done with prosecutor statement. There are currently three people who claim to be Manyak. I am afraid that they are going to decide who Manyak is after a drawing.” 

Barış Atay detained for “similar voice” 

Previously, actor Barış Atay has been detained within RedHack investigation and charged for being a member, as his voice was similar with RedHack spokesperson who spoke to Nor Radyo. 

What happened previously?

On Friday morning, police simultaneously raided several locations across Turkey, detaining 14 individuals including actor Barış Atay who were suspected to have linkages with RedHack group. Suspects have been ordered to make a statement in Cybercrime Police Headquarters in Ankara.  

Detainees were also asked related their involvement with Gezi Resistance: 

“Have you attended Gezi protests? What was your purpose behind pushing people to streets and spread the movement?” 

While 9 were released briefly after their statement to a prosecutor, 5 others were ordered to stand trial for arrest. 

However, special prosecutor Hüseyin Şahin objected the releases according to Anti-Terror Act Article 10.

Upon the objection, the court issued an arrest order on Taylan Kulaçoğlu. 

Some of the charges that Kulaçoğlu is facing are as follows: 

“Disclosing top secret information on national security and political interests of the state, founding a crime organization, acquiring top secret document on national security.” (AS/BM)