Turkish police detain Salafi bookstore owner Abu Haris over Vienna attack links in anti-ISIS op
Turkish police have detained the owner of a Salafi bookstore over his links to the Nov. 2 Vienna attack. Abu Haris code-named Ramazan O. is also suspected of taking up arms to fight in Turkey.
Duvar English
Turkish police have detained the owner of a Salafi bookstore called Vasat Kitabevi over his links to a man detained earlier over his links to the Nov. 2 Vienna attack that left four people dead.
Abu Haris code-named Ramazan O. was detained in the Aegean province of İzmir on Dec. 3 as part of an anti-ISIS operation that 10 others linked to him were also nabbed.
His detention is also thought to be linked to the statements of an Islamist cult leader, who earlier said that there are dozens of Salafi associations taking up arms and preparing to fight in Turkey.
Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü, also known as Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca, was called by police to give the names of the associations following his remarks. Ünlü specifically pointed to Ramazan O. as one of those taking up arms.
As part of a probe launched by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities determined that Ramazan O., who is already being tried over ISIS links, was continuing ISIS-related works in the bookstore.
Police raided 14 addresses in a simultaneous operation and seized a rifle, as well as banned publications.
In Istanbul, meanwhile, 15 suspects were detained in an anti-ISIS operation.