Zahid denies ‘Turkish operatives’ helped in arrest of Turks

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DPM says three Turks deported were members of a banned organisation in Turkey and wanted to use Malaysia to launch a new movement.

Zahid-Hamidi_turki_600SHAH ALAM: Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied a claim that Turkish operatives were involved in the arrests of three Turkish citizens residing in Malaysia.

“Not true. The news is false. I know,” he told a press conference after a programme at Universiti Teknologi Mara here, today.

Yesterday, a portal called Turkey Purge cited a report by the country’s news agency, Anadolu, that claimed officials from the Turkish National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), an anti-terror police unit and an anaesthetist were “actively involved in the forced return of Malaysian-based Gulen followers” last week.

The agency was referring to the three Turkish nationals – Turgay Karaman, Ihsan Aslan and Ismet Ozcelik – who were detained by Malaysian police earlier this month and deported to Turkey last week.

Read more about F.E.T.O

According to Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, the three were believed to have been involved in activities related to the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (Feto).

Turkey Purge, citing Anadolu further, said the Turkish operatives’ involvement were kept secret, and that even their families were unaware of it.

Zahid when asked about the claim, insisted that Malaysian authorities had arrested the trio after the police obtained information from the Regional Digital Counter-Messaging Centre (CMC), and other international intelligence agencies.

“With the information received, we found out that the trio were members of an organisation banned in Turkey, and wanted to use Malaysia as a place to launch a new movement outside Turkey.

“If we give them long-term protection, it will tarnish our country’s image. We cannot let that happen,” said Zahid, who is also home minister. ( Very true but why then you are habouring a confirm terrorist named Zakir Naik who is wanted in many countries )