ALBAWABA - Turkish officials announced on Friday that a man, suspected of ties to the Islamic State, had been detained. He was reportedly planning attacks during the New Year festivities.
Anadolu Agency reported that Ibrahim Kurtakosin was arrested in Malatya, a city in southeastern Turkey, during a joint operation involving the police and Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization.
Security sources indicated that Kurtakosin had been communicating with Islamic State sympathizers, both within Turkey and internationally. He was also allegedly exploring avenues to travel to conflict zones to participate in the ongoing fighting. Authorities seized digital devices and publications linked to the group during a search of his home.
This arrest came on the heels of a broader security operation. Prosecutors in Istanbul had announced a day prior that coordinated raids across the country had resulted in the detention of over 100 individuals suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State.
The individuals taken into custody were suspected of plotting attacks over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Turkey officially labeled the Islamic State a terrorist organization back in 2013. The group later took credit for a series of significant attacks within the country from 2015 to early 2017, resulting in over 300 deaths and countless injuries.
Officials stated that investigations are still underway, a part of the increased security protocols implemented during the holiday period. On Friday, Turkish authorities announced the detention of a man believed to have ties to the Islamic State, who was reportedly preparing to launch attacks during the New Year festivities.
Ibrahim Kurtakosin, the suspect, was apprehended in Malatya, a city in southeastern Turkey, during a joint operation involving the police and Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Security sources indicated that Kurtakosin had been communicating with Islamic State supporters, both within Turkey and internationally. He was reportedly exploring avenues to reach conflict zones and participate in the ongoing hostilities. Authorities confiscated digital devices and prohibited publications associated with the group during a search of his home.
This arrest came on the heels of a broader security initiative. Prosecutors in Istanbul had announced the previous day that coordinated raids nationwide had resulted in the detention of over 100 individuals suspected of having ties to the Islamic State. The individuals taken into custody were suspected of plotting assaults during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Turkey officially labeled the Islamic State a terrorist organization back in 2013. The group subsequently took credit for numerous significant attacks within the country from 2015 to early 2017, resulting in over 300 fatalities and countless injuries.
Officials stated that inquiries are still underway, a part of the increased security protocols implemented during the holiday period.
