Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Turkey Detains Belgian Man Involved in ISIS Operations in Europe | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55373965
Caption:

A Turkish flag is pictured on a boat with the Bosphorus bridge in the background in Istanbul, Turkey, August 6, 2016. REUTERS/Osman Orsal


Ankara- Turkish authorities have detained in Istanbul a Belgian national wanted by the Interpol for the past three years on suspicion of involvement in terrorist attacks carried out by ISIS in Europe.

Security sources said that the man, identified as Mahdi A., was detained in the Fatih district of the city, adding that he had gone to Syria with his wife and children three years ago to join ISIS.

Media reports said the man was suspected of being the coordinator for all French-speaking militants seeking to join ISIS, and also of planning terrorist attacks in Europe.

He had been the target of an international search, they added.

One of the reports said that Turkish police will deport him to Belgium once the legal procedures taken against him are completed.

Meanwhile, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said that police arrested in the past week 480 people, including 152 social media users.

The detainees have been charged with using social media for terrorist purposes and for insulting statesmen and instigating hatred.

Some of the detainees are suspected of having links to several banned and terrorist organizations, mainly ISIS.

Turkish police launch raids almost daily against suspected ISIS cells across the country.