Turkish Authorities Arrest 16 Individuals Suspected of Financing IS
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Istanbul, Dec 24 (NationPress) Turkish authorities have arrested 16 individuals on Tuesday as part of a coordinated operation spanning four provinces, aimed at uncovering those allegedly involved in funding the Islamic State (IS), local media has reported.
This operation was initiated by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office located in the western city of Izmir.
The prosecutors had previously issued arrest warrants for a total of 23 individuals, according to the reports.
In response to these warrants, police forces conducted raids at 10 businesses in Izmir, Mersin, Adana, and Manisa, capturing 16 suspects while confiscating $4,110, 7,205 euros, 434,650 Turkish liras, 40 grams of gold, and a variety of digital materials.
Efforts to locate the remaining seven suspects are currently in progress, as reported by the Xinhua news agency, citing the state-run TRT broadcaster.
On December 23, Turkish authorities had also detained five individuals in Istanbul on allegations of financing the Islamic State (IS).
Following an investigation led by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities identified seven individuals believed to be involved in transferring funds to IS operatives in conflict zones.
Arrest warrants were issued under charges of "membership of an armed terrorist organization" and "violating the Law on the Prevention of Terrorism Financing."
Police executed simultaneous raids at seven locations across Istanbul, resulting in the detention of five suspects, as reported by TRT, which also mentioned that efforts to capture the remaining two suspects are ongoing.
During these raids, authorities seized 55,000 euros along with various organizational documents.
In a related case in September, Turkish police arrested a suspect believed to have orchestrated an attack on a church in Istanbul earlier in January.
The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the General Directorate of Security collaborated in a joint operation in Istanbul to capture Viskhan Soltamatov, a suspected member of the Islamic State (IS).
As per the agency's reports, Soltamatov was implicated in planning the attack on the Santa Maria Italian Church and was responsible for providing the weapon used.
The attack, which took place on January 28 during prayer in the Sariyer district, resulted in the death of a Turkish citizen.
Prior to this, Turkish police had arrested 31 suspects connected to the attack, and investigations are still ongoing.
In February, security agencies in Turkey detained at least 34 foreign nationals on suspicion of having ties to the Islamic State during operations conducted across seven provinces.
These operations resulted in the seizure of unauthorized firearms, a substantial amount of foreign currency, and digital materials.
Since 2013, Turkey has classified IS as a terrorist organization and has been the target of several attacks by the group. In response, Ankara has conducted counter-terrorism operations domestically and internationally.
