A Belgian man of Moroccan origin, who has been suspected of involvement in the Islamic State's attack on Paris that killed more than 130 people last week, was arrested by Turkish officials Saturday. The suspect, Ahmed Dahmani, 26, was found at a luxury hotel in the city of Antalya after having travelled from Amsterdam on Nov. 14. Two suspected accomplices of his were also arrested, according to Turkish officials.
This development came about from Turkey's Dogan news agency, which said that Dahmani had scouted out the target sites for the Paris attacks and that his two accomplices, both Syrian, were suspected of planning to help him cross into Syria, The Indian Express reported.
The two accomplices were identified as Ahmet Tahir, 29, and Muhmmed Verdi, 23. Dahmani was said to have been staying at the five-star hotel since Nov. 16. Counter terrorism police became aware of his presence after finding out that he arrived on a flight to Antalya.
Similarly, a group of Moroccans were detained by Turkish officials based on suspicion of them being linked to the Islamic state. The group of eight claimed that they arrived at Ataturk airport on Tuesday from Casablanca for a holiday, but the border police did not think that was the case, and they were flagged as suspected militants, according to The Irish Independent.
"Had the Belgian authorities alerted us in due time, Dahmani could have been apprehended at the airport," an official said.
Turkey has estimated that more than 1,300 of its nationals are among the many thousands of foreign fighters to have joined the Islamic State, which is far less than some European countries. In a video released by AlHayat, the media wing of ISIS, the group had called on Turkish Muslims to move to the lands under their control, assuring that it is not dangerous there and that life there is normal and prosperous, reported First Post.
