World · Middle East · 1 day ago
14 detained in Turkey over suspected Islamic State funding network
Turkish authorities detained 14 people in a coordinated operation based in Ankara and carried out in several provinces.
The investigation concerns suspected funding for Islamic State, also known as Daesh.
Officials say donations were collected through Telegram channels, with some collection reportedly coordinated from Syria.
The money was allegedly sent to Syria to free Islamic State members held in camps in northern Syria or provide them with financial support.
The investigation began after information was passed by the German Embassy in Ankara, and financial and phone-record checks identified 16 suspects.
Two suspects are Syrian nationals and one is Uzbek; the nationalities of the others were not specified.
The investigation is continuing, and legal proceedings have been opened against all 16 on suspicion of membership in an armed organization and terrorism financing.
Turkish authorities detained 14 people in an investigation into alleged financing for Islamic State members.
The Ankara-based operation followed an inquiry into donations collected through Telegram channels and transferred to Syria.
Authorities said the funds were intended to free Islamic State members held in camps in northern Syria or provide them with financial support.
Investigators identified 16 suspects, including two Syrian nationals and one Uzbek national, using financial and communications records.
Legal proceedings were opened against all 16 on suspicion of membership in an armed group and terrorist financing.
- Who
- Turkish authorities detained 14 of 16 suspects. Two suspects were Syrian nationals and one was Uzbek.
- What
- The investigation concerns alleged terrorist financing through donations collected on Telegram and sent to Syria.
- When
- The operation took place on 20 October, according to Sabah.
- Where
- The operation was conducted in Ankara and other provinces in Turkey. The alleged donations were transferred to Syria.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating alleged efforts to free Islamic State members held in camps in northern Syria or provide them with financial support.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Information about coordinated donations collected through Telegram channels and transferred to Syria was shared with Turkish counterterrorism authorities.
An investigation was opened, and authorities identified 16 suspects through financial and communications inquiries.
Authorities carried out simultaneous operations in Ankara and other provinces and detained 14 suspects.
- Detained
- 14 suspects
- Suspects identified
- 16
- Operation date
- 20 October
- Suspects’ nationalities
- Two Syrian and one Uzbek national
- Investigating authority
- Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
- Donation platform
- Telegram
3 sources
What people are saying
donations were collected to buy and free Islamic State members held captive in camps in northern Syria or to provide them with financial support