Day: September 22, 2021

Turkish security forces arrested eight suspects for their alleged links to the far-left DHKP-C terror group in Istanbul, according to security sources on Wednesday.

Prosecutors in Istanbul issued arrest warrants for 16 suspects for conducting propaganda for the terrorist organization, said the sources on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Anti-terror police arrested eight of the suspects in simultaneous raids at 14 addresses in Istanbul, they said, adding that efforts are ongoing to nab the remaining ones. Digital material and organizational documents were also seized.

The DHKP-C is responsible for a number of terror attacks in Turkey, including a 2013 attack on the US Embassy in Ankara, which martyred a Turkish security guard.

The group is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU.

Source: Anadolu News Agency

The investment dispute resolution arm of the World Bank has ruled in favor of Turkey in a case filed by a puppet company of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) – the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey – Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund announced Tuesday.

The World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) issued the ruling in favor of Turkey and against the FETO dummy company, said a statement by the fund.

In the case, Cascade Investments NV (Cascade), a FETO dummy company, claimed to own 99.94% of the shares of Turkey’s Cihan Media Distribution and had sought €126 million ($148 million) in compensation

But the investment dispute center rejected the claim by FETO terror group members, also denying the compensation claim.

The dummy company which filed the claim against Turkey was established by members of the Belgian Turkish Businessmen’s Association (BETIAD) in Belgium.

For years the group has played an important role in financing the FETO terrorist group.

Nine members of BETIAD established the dummy company, the statement added.

The fund’s statement added that in the arbitration case, a Sept. 20 decision rejected the baseless allegations made by the FETO terror group members.

“The claims systematically voiced by FETO (terror group) in the international arena and the arbitration cases demanding compensation have been proven to be groundless and unlawful,” it added.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 wounded.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

Source: Anadolu News Agency

Turkish forces “neutralized” two YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, across Turkey’s border, authorities said on Wednesday.

The terrorists attempted to attack the Operation Peace Spring and Operation Euphrates Shield zones, where Turkey carried out a cross-border anti-terror operation in 2019, the National Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

“The hero Mehmetcik (Turkish soldiers) continue to neutralize terrorists who are plotting attacks for their nefarious ambitions,” the ministry said.

Turkish authorities use the term neutralize to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is PKK’s Syrian offshoot.

Source: Anadolu News Agency

The long-awaited compulsory quarantine-free travel between Turkey and England resumed Wednesday after Turkey was removed from the COVID-19 travel red list last week.

As of 4 a.m. (0300 GMT), all those arriving from Turkey will no longer need to self-isolate in a designated hotel, which was a mandatory process before.

Passengers arriving in England from Turkey will have to have a PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their arrival, and self-isolate at an address they will provide for 10 days.

On the 2nd and 8th day of the isolation, they will have two more tests, of which the results need to be shared with British health authorities. They also have to fill a passenger locator form before entering the country.

However, those arriving from Turkey and who are fully vaccinated in the UK, US, EU, or EFTA will not have to self-isolate depending on the pre-journey test and the 2nd-day test.

From Oct. 4, those who are fully vaccinated will not need a pre-departure test before arrival into England from a non-red country, according to a statement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Turkish authorities are in talks with British authorities for recognition of vaccinations in Turkey, according to a statement from the Turkish Embassy in London.

Alongside Turkey, Egypt, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Kenya were also removed from the red list.

Source: Anadolu News Agency