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Turkey Extradites Canadian Citizen who Attempted to Join ISIS | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Turkish police officers secure the area around the headquarters of a seized media company – (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)


Ankara – Turkish authorities extradited on Thursday a Canadian citizen, who was accused of attempting to join ISIS terrorist group.

Upon his arrival to his country, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Toronto has arrested the ISIS-bound citizen, reports said on Thursday.

Pamir Hakimzadah, 27, had left Canada to join ISIS in 2014 and was detained and returned by Turkish officials.

Canadian officials detained him as part of Project sachet, which is a national criminal investigation dating back to Jan. 2016.

According to reports, Hakimzadah was currently in the custody of Toronto Police for “outstanding criminal allegations.”

Turkey has intensified measures against individuals attempting to join terrorists in Syria by tightening security along the borders with Syria and Iraq.

Turkish officials detained another Canadian in March.

Meanwhile, the Australian government has warned that terrorists may seek to target Anzac Day commemorations in Turkey later this month.

The anniversary on April 25 marks the first major battle involving Australia and New Zealand in World War One.

In a statement, Australian Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said his government had received information of a possible threat to Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsula.

While he did not give further information on the issue, the minister urged travellers to be cautious.

“Ultimately, it is up to the traveller to make the final decision on whether to travel or not,” Tehan said.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade updated its travel advice for Turkey but did not lift a warning classification level.

“We have confidence in the Turkish authorities to secure the peninsula and other celebrations in the area,” Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Michael Phelan said.

In 2015, about 15,000 Australians travelled to Gallipoli for the centenary of Anzac Day.