ISIS operation in 3 provinces including Konya: 17 detentions, mosques sealed

A comprehensive and multi-faceted operation was conducted against the terrorist organization ISIS across Turkey, coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Following months-long technical and physical surveillance, simultaneous raids were carried out on 46 addresses in Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Konya, dismantling a critical structure of the organization. Within the scope of the operation, two unauthorized mosques used for the organization's ideological propaganda activities were identified and sealed, delivering a heavy blow to both the financial and logistical resources of the organization.

In dawn raids launched by security forces in the early hours, 39 of the 42 suspects wanted for detention were caught and taken into custody. According to investigation details, a cell structure led by Orhan Küçük, using the codename 'Taksici Muhammed', was attempting to recruit new members for the organization by holding secret meetings under illegal associations. It was determined that the suspects carried out activities with radical rhetoric in places resembling prayer houses and followed a strategy of spreading their base through this method.

In searches conducted at the addresses, significant materials of an evidential nature indicating the organization was preparing for armed action were seized. Police teams found an unlicensed handgun, 50 bullets, two large knives, and a drone assessed to be used for reconnaissance purposes at the address where the prime suspect shared the same residence with his brother. The seized weapons and digital data revealed that the cell possessed not only ideological but also logistical and military capacity.

After the completion of interrogations at the police department, the 39 suspects were referred to the Istanbul Courthouse under intense security measures. The suspects, whose statements were taken by the prosecutor, were brought before the duty criminal peace judge with a request for their arrest. The judge ruled for the arrest of 17 suspects on charges of membership and management of a terrorist organization as a result of the trial, and ordered the release of other suspects under judicial control conditions.

Judicial authorities applied judicial control measures such as travel bans and signature requirements to the 20 released suspects, while announcing that cyber examinations were ongoing. It was stated that if the content of the seized digital materials is deciphered, the operation could evolve into a second wave and other structures of the organization could be reached. It was noted that the intelligence and operational activities conducted to completely eliminate terrorist elements in the region would continue uninterrupted.