Eight suspected ISIL militants detained at Istanbul Atatürk Airport

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

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Eight suspected militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have been detained in Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport after criminal profilers interviewed the suspects and determined the suspects had plans to enter Germany illegally. 

According to security sources, eight people arrived in the Istanbul Atatürk Airport from Casablanca to visit Istanbul for “touristic purposes,” claiming they also had hotel reservations. 

However, criminal profilers working to inhibit foreigners from joining the ranks of ISIL grew skeptical of the group and further questioned their testimonies inside “interview rooms.”

While the suspects were identified as N.Y., S.H., A.M., S.A., S.S., M.E.A., M.M. and A.S., a police investigation revealed the group did not actually have hotel reservations. 

Moreover, a drawing was recovered from one of the suspects which showed a planned route from Turkey’s Aegean İzmir district to Germany, transiting through Greece, Serbia and Hungary. 

Reports allege the suspects were planning to enter Germany through illegal means, posing as refugees.
 
 A detailed investigation was launched by security authorities with regards to the suspects’ final destination.
 
The team of criminal profilers has been working in Istanbul’s Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen airports alongside the bus terminal in Bayrampaşa. 

The profilers detain individuals deemed suspicious and conduct interviews before allowing them entry into Turkey.

According to reports, 800 people have been deported so far, while another 200 have been denied entry into the country.