politics
Turkish Police Detain 209 People in Ankara Raids Ahead of NATO Summit
Security forces conducted raids in the Turkish capital on Tuesday and detained 209 people suspected of links to extremist groups. The operation took place ahead of the July 7-8 NATO summit scheduled in Ankara.
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Turkish security forces carried out raids across Ankara on Tuesday and detained 209 people with suspected links to extremist groups, including the Islamic State group. Early on Tuesday, prosecutors issued detention orders for 241 suspects. Police and gendarmerie units took 209 of them into custody during operations that continued later in the day.
The government has announced plans to ban demonstrations and restrict access to roads leading to airports and the summit venue. Areas around hotels hosting delegations will also be sealed off. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the July 7-8 NATO summit along with other leaders of the 32-member alliance.
Last month, security forces detained 324 people suspected of links to the Islamic State group in a nationwide operation. Among those taken into custody on Tuesday were 56 alleged Islamic State militants and 35 members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front.
The Islamic State group has carried out multiple attacks in Turkey, including a 2017 New Year’s Eve shooting at an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people.
