Arrested Turkish duo allegedly involved in IS activities: Zahid

PUTRAJAYA: The two Turkish citizens who were arrested by police on Tuesday were alleged to have been involved in activities and correspondence related to Daesh (Islamic State) terrorist group, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix).
"The Special Branch's Anti-Terrorism unit has been monitoring several individuals including them on activities involving the spreading, influencing and funding Deash activities," he told reporters at the sidelines of the 2017 International Wasatiyyah Seminar, here today.
He also confirmed that the duo, international school head Turgay Karaman and businessman Ihsan Aslan are being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
"Even though they are currently being investigated under Sosma, the police will also investigate them under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota) and Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (Poca)," he said.
Providing assurances to the families of both Turkish nationals, Ahmad Zahid also pledged to release them should investigations reveal that they had "zero" or "minimal" involvement in the alleged activities.
"However, we must respect the findings by the police.
"They have managed to trace communications allegedly by both of them.
"These are not accusations but findings that the police's Counter Messaging Centre made when investigating them," he said.
Ahmad Zahid added that the police will be collaborating with their Turkish counterparts which includes the police department and military intelligence to assist in the investigations.
The two Turkish nationals were initially reported as being abducted on Tuesday but subsequently, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said they had been arrested by the police.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Khalid confirmed that international school head Karaman and businessman Aslan were arrested in connection with activities that threatened national security, and not abducted as claimed.
He said they were arrested under Section 130 of the Penal Code.
"@PDRMsia confirms that the two Turkey nationals were arrested on May 2 involving activities that threatened security of Malaysia in accordance with Section 130 of the Penal Code," Khalid tweeted.
Section 130 refers to aiding escape of, rescuing, or harbouring such prisoner of state or prisoner of war.