ISIL suspect released thanks to ‘fixed residence’ in Istanbul

Dinçer Gökçe – ISTANBUL

An Islamic State Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) suspect who returned to Turkey after defecting from the group has been released from detention because he had a “fixed residence.”

Istanbul police raided suspected ISIL addresses in three different districts in Istanbul on Aug. 24, 2016.
Mühyettin S., 37; İbrahim K., 35; Yavuz İ., 30; Cenk A., 32; and Abdulsamet Ç., 25, were detained during the raid in at a house belonging to Fazıl K., who allegedly fought for ISIL.

The suspects were referred to the court after nine days of detention. Abdulsamet Ç. was arrested on charges of membership in an armed terrorist organization, while the other suspects were released on probation.

Meanwhile, an Istanbul court of serious crimes released Abdulsamet Ç. on probation on Dec. 2, 2016, because he had a “fixed residence.”

According to the justification of the decision, probation was adjudged to more expedient than continuing the individual’s arrest.

The court also informed the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), requesting information about the foreign activities of the suspect, whose passport was also canceled.    

The suspect’s lawyer also said he was surprised at the court decision.

Meanwhile, a number of details were released about the suspect during his inquiry process.

Abdulsamet Ç. went to join ISIL in Syria in 2014, according to an indictment which was prepared by the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office. The suspect reportedly obtained religious education in Manbij before he was transferred to the Tal Afar district of Mosul in Iraq. He started to work in a hospital located in the center of Mosul. After a while, he was wounded in an air strike and was treated in the same hospital for four months.

 He was transferred to al-Bab province and continued his treatment in there.

He surrendered to Turkish soldiers in the southeastern province of Kilis in 2015, saying he regretted his decision to join ISIL.

Abdulsamet Ç. returned to his family and started to live in the Ümraniye district of Istanbul but he reportedly did not break off his ties to ISIL.  

Some flags, photographs and anthems allegedly belonging to ISIL were found on the suspect’s mobile phone during the raid, the indictment revealed. A book named “Supporting Jihad in 44 ways” was also found in the suspect’s house.

Meanwhile, the suspect’s older brother and a relative were reportedly released after being detained in Istanbul following the July 15, 2016, coup attempt which was believed to have been orchestrated by U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen.