Turkish police wrapped a six-city investigation and raid with the detainment of several suspected of ties to al Qaeda, including one who worked at a prominent charity with Islamic roots.
The charity, IHH, confirmed on Tuesday that an employee who works at one of its storage facilities near the border with Syria was detained, The Association Press reported. However, IHH heads deny that its organization is tied to al Qaeda and say the police raid was aimed at discrediting the group’s charitable works.
Meanwhile, the local Dogan news outlet said police kicked off the raids in Istanbul and five other cities as part of a massive anti-terrorism campaign. At least two suspected senior operatives of al Qaeda were held for questioning, AP reported.
The IHH had previously put together an aid flotilla for Gaza that had been raided by Israeli intelligence and military in 2010. Just last week, IHH officials denied accusations that its workers were helping to ship arms into Syria.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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