Raids on ISIS in Istanbul: 17 Detained, 'Taxi Driver Muhammed' Caught

Under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau, a very comprehensive investigation was carried out by the Counter-Terrorism and Intelligence Departments of the Istanbul Police Department to expose the activities of the ISIS terrorist organization. Within this scope, simultaneous operations were conducted with the aim of fully exposing the organization, and raids were conducted on a large number of addresses determined to be where organizational activities were conducted. As a result of physical and technical surveillance, an operation plan was implemented to collapse a significant part of the organization's structure within the country. As a result of the work carried out by the security forces, significant progress was made in identifying the names who directed the illegal activities of the organization. Within the scope of the investigation, intensive efforts were made to dry up the financial resources of the organization as well.

According to the intelligence obtained within the scope of the operation, it was determined that Orhan Küçük, who was determined to be the so-called leader of the organization, used the code name "Taksici Muhammed" and directed organization supporters with this title. It was determined that Orhan Küçük continued his illegal activities by organizing meetings under the guise of "illegal associations" and under the name of "lessons" with the members of the organization. It emerged that the suspects, by exploiting religious sentiments, made radical statements and systematically sought a base to recruit new members to the terrorist organization. It was stated that Küçük, who was involved in fundraising activities on behalf of the organization, was at the center of the organization's communication and logistics process. It was stated that the timing of the operation was carried out with great care to prevent these activities.

As the investigation deepened, the identities and addresses of the target suspects became clear, and in this direction, simultaneous raids were conducted on a total of 46 addresses, including in 4 different districts of Istanbul and in the provinces of Kocaeli and Konya. While raids were conducted on 44 addresses in Istanbul, 2 of which were used as illegal mosques, an operation was carried out at one address each in Kocaeli and Konya. 39 of the 42 suspects, for whom detention warrants were issued, were caught by the security forces and detained. During the searches at the addresses, 1 unlicensed handgun planned to be used in the organization's activities, 50 cartridges, 2 cutting-stabbing knives, 1 drone, and a large number of digital materials were seized. Since the target suspect's brother was residing at the address where the unlicensed weapon was found, a separate legal action was initiated against him. It was stated that the seized digital materials were taken into examination to decode the organization's communication network.

Following the raids, 2 illegal mosques used by the organization as meeting centers and where ISIS-affiliated activities were assessed to be carried out were completely sealed by police and municipal teams, ending their activities. 39 suspects, whose questioning and processing at the police station were completed, were referred to the courthouse under intense security measures. After the prosecutor's questioning, the suspects were brought before the duty magistrate judge, their statements were taken, and the evidence was evaluated. The judge ruled for the detention of 17 suspects in light of the questioning and evidence. The detained suspects were sent to prison, while the situation of those in custody was reviewed.

As a result of the trial, the judge decided to release 20 suspects subject to judicial control measures. It was emphasized that the operation dealt a blow to the so-called structure of the ISIS terrorist organization in Turkey and prevented future planned action activities. Authorities stated that the investigation into the matter continues in a multifaceted manner and efforts continue to apprehend other suspects. It was stated that new evidence could be reached by analyzing the weapons and digital materials seized within the scope of the operation, and information about the upper structure of the organization would become clear. The security forces announced that the fight against terrorist organizations would continue decisively and that similar operations would continue without interruption for the peace of the people.