Family arrested over attempt to make TATP explosive in Turkish capital Ankara

ANKARA

A family of three were arrested over an attempt to make the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP) in the Turkish capital Ankara, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Aug. 7.

TATP is mainly preferred by members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and al-Qaeda, as it cannot be easily detected by bomb-sniffing dogs or detectors.

The suspects were caught on July 17 in Ankara’s Etimesgut district after their bomb endeavor accidentally ended in an explosion at their house. Police were dispatched to the area of the explosion and detained Yüksel K., his wife, Tülay K., and their daughter, Beyzanur K.

Following a 14-day long detention period, the authorities found out that Yüksel K. was working as a technician at a public institution and attempted to make the TATP explosive using various materials he had obtained from the market. 

The bomb squad found 900 grams of this type of explosive at the house, which was then neutralized. The police also seized various publications belonging to ISIL at the suspects’ residence. 

In their research, the officials determined that Yüksel K.’s brother had desired to join ISIL, which previously led the two brothers to travel to the southeastern Turkish province of Gaziantep. Once the brothers could not contact the ISIL members at the province, they turned back, but Yüksel K.’s brother initiated a second attempt to go to Gaziantep later on. It was in this second attempt that Yüksel K.’s brother was detained in the province, but was later released. Afterwards, his brother was reported to have continued his communication with Yüksel K. through e-mails. 

Once the authorities submitted the relevant documents verifying the suspects’ relation to ISIL, the Ankara court ruled for their arrest on July 31.