38 ISIL-linked suspects detained in southern Turkey

ADANA

38 foreign nationals have been detained in the southern province of Adana as they reportedly came to the province to join ISIL. DHA Photo

Thirty-eight foreign nationals have been detained in the southern province of Adana as they reportedly came to the province to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Syria.

Adana Police Department Counterterrorism Unit officers on Nov. 9 detained 38 foreign nationals, which included 14 Azerbaijanis, seven Indonesians, five Iraqis, five Kirghizes, two Tajiks, three Iranians and two Afghans, after gathering intelligence that the 38 had come to Adana’s Seyhan district with their families in a bid to join ISIL, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. 

Among the 38 foreign nationals were 15 children and 10 women.

Two Turkish suspects, identified only by the initials H.Ö. and İ.G, were detained for allegedly helping the 38 foreign suspects come to Adana and find accommodation. 

The foreign suspects were taken to the Adana Police Department for interrogation and then to the Adana Forensic Institute for medical examination. The foreign suspects became angry at reporters who attempted to take pictures of them outside the forensic institute, Doğan News Agency reported.

All detained, except the two Turkish recruiters, were taken to the Adana Migration Management Directorate for procedures before expulsion.

Meanwhile, 11 out of 20 suspects who were detained in the Mediterranean province of Antalya on Nov. 6 for having links to ISIL were sent to court on Nov. 9. 

After being detained in an anti-terror operation conducted as a pre-emptive security measure ahead of the two-day G-20 summit, the other nine suspects were released, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.