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Isis suspect arrested in Turkey over alleged Gallipoli plot Isis suspect arrested in Turkey over alleged Gallipoli plot
(about 7 hours later)
Turkish authorities have arrested a suspected Islamic State member they believe was planning to attack a first world war commemoration at Gallipoli this week attended by hundreds of Australians and New Zealanders. Turkish authorities have arrested a suspected Islamic State member they believe was planning to attack a first world war commemoration at Gallipoli attended by hundreds of Australians and New Zealanders.
The suspect, a Syrian national, was arrested after a police operation in Osmaniye and was among several Isis members detained.The suspect, a Syrian national, was arrested after a police operation in Osmaniye and was among several Isis members detained.
Turkish police allege the suspect, named in the charge sheet as Abdul Karim Helif, was planning the attack as retaliation for the mass shooting in March at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Turkish police allege the suspect, named in the charge sheet as 25-year-old Abdul Karim Helif, was planning the attack as retaliation for the mass shooting in March at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Two sim cards, one in a Samsung phone, are central to the case against him.Two sim cards, one in a Samsung phone, are central to the case against him.
Turkish police assessed the threat to be serious, but gave no details about the nature of the proposed attack. Police assessed the threat to be serious but gave no details about the nature of the proposed attack.
Australians and New Zealanders travel to Turkey each year for memorial services commemorating the failed 1915 military campaign by Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and allied forces to drive Ottoman troops from Gallipoli and the Dardanelles region.Australians and New Zealanders travel to Turkey each year for memorial services commemorating the failed 1915 military campaign by Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and allied forces to drive Ottoman troops from Gallipoli and the Dardanelles region.
Soldiers from New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and other countries held services on the peninsula on Wednesday. At dawn on Thursday, Australians and New Zealanders are due to hold a special dawn service marking the landings. New Zealand cuts dozens of Anzac events over Christchurch terror risk
Soldiers from New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and other countries held services on the peninsula on Wednesday. At dawn on Thursday Australians and New Zealanders were due to hold a special dawn service marking the landings.
The commemorations come a month after the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, faced criticism from Australia and New Zealand for comments he made after the Christchurch shooting that invoked Gallipoli.The commemorations come a month after the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, faced criticism from Australia and New Zealand for comments he made after the Christchurch shooting that invoked Gallipoli.
Turkey has said Isis was responsible for bombings in 2015 and 2016, in which 200 people died. Although the militant group has not been active recently in Turkey, authorities still carry out routine operations against suspected Isis members. Turkey has said Isis was responsible for bombings in 2015 and 2016 in which 200 people died. Although the militant group has not been active recently in the country, authorities still carry out routine operations against suspected Isis members.
The Australian veterans affairs minister, Darren Chester, said preparations were continuing for the Gallipoli dawn service.
“We work closely with the local Turkish authorities on security arrangements,” he told ABC Radio National on Thursday.
“Obviously the tragic events in Christchurch had nothing to do with the events of 1915 on the peninsula and there’s a great deal of respect between the Turkish people and Australian and New Zealanders.”
The Australian War Memorial director, Brendan Nelson, praised Turkish authorities for dealing with the issue.
“The Turkish authorities went to extraordinary lengths to see that the Gallipoli peninsula was secure for the Anzac Day services that are being held there.”
Turkish nationals were banned from attending the dawn service, which Australia’s chief of the defence force, General Angus Campbell, is due to attend, amid heightened security fears.
“Unfortunately we live in a world where there are people – wherever they live, whatever their background, whatever their beliefs – who are fundamentalists intent on disrupting what we do,” Nelson said.
“The most important thing we can do is go about living our lives.”
Reuters contributed to this reportReuters contributed to this report
TurkeyTurkey
Islamic StateIslamic State
First world warFirst world war
SyriaSyria
New ZealandNew Zealand
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
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