Turkish man wanted over ByLock use also sought over ISIL links

Fevzi Kızılkoyun – ANKARA

A Turkish man wanted over using the smartphone application ByLock, used exclusively by the followers of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen to communicate, turned out to also be sought over his links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The suspect, identified only as Nurullah G., is being sought as part of an investigation into the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri. 

Some 30 detention warrants were issued as part of the investigation carried out by the Kayseri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and 26 people were detained in operations. 

While the search to apprehend four other suspects was ongoing, it emerged that Nurullah G. was also a fugitive sought over ISIL membership and his links to clash zones in Syria were previously determined.

Nurullah G., who is in the red category of the ByLock list, reportedly exchanged 12 messages with a FETÖ “imam” after downloading the application in 2014.

“Imam,” which traditionally refers to a religious public worker, is a term used by the Gülenist organization to mark local leadership.

Authorities suspect Nurullah G. crossed into Syria illegally.