Turkey nabs terrorist after 20 years in hiding

MUŞ

A convicted terrorist who was in hiding for over 20 years was arrested in the city of Muş, southeastern Turkey on March 25, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

In 2000, the man, identified by the initials Y.Y., was convicted of "being a member of the Hezbollah terrorist organization" and sentenced in absentia to six years and three months in prison.

The Hezbollah terror group in Turkey, which was founded in late 1980s, is not affiliated with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and it is often referred to as "the Turkish Hezbollah" (or Hizbullah).

Having managed to evade capture for two decades, the suspect was caught in an operation by gendarmerie forces, who found out that he was hiding in a village close to the city center.

An operation was conducted and the suspect was found holed up in a secret hiding spot in his house.

The suspect had been hiding in stables during the summer, and a secret room during the winter for the last 20 years, according to the agency.

He was assisted by neighbors, who would alert him whenever security forces were in the area.