Ankara announces arrest of top ISIS group commander in Turkey

Mahmut Özden was in "constant contact" with ISIS operatives in Syria and Iraq (illustrative image).

REUTERS / Erik De Castro

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Turkey said on Tuesday September 1 that it had recently arrested the highest commander of the Islamic State organization in the country.

The man is notably accused of having planned attacks against tourist places and political leaders.

He was held in an Istanbul prison.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul,

Authorities in Ankara present him as the "leader" of the Islamic State group in Turkey.

Mahmut Özden, a Turkish national, is notably accused of having recruited members on behalf of the terrorist organization and formed cells of 10 to 12 individuals responsible for committing attacks in the country.

Arrested in Adana, southern Turkey, he was in " 

" with ISIS operatives in Syria and Iraq.

Mahmut Özden's arrest stems from that of another suspected member of the group last week.

Arrested in possession of Kalashnikov submachine guns, the latter had in particular scouted the famous Taksim Square in Istanbul.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, Mahmut Özden thus planned several attacks against emblematic places, but also “ 

 ”.

Other suspected ISIS members, including Mahmut Özden's son, were arrested after him.

The man has long been known to the Turkish counterterrorism services.

The police took him into custody several times, before releasing him.

In recent months, Turkey has stepped up operations against suspected ISIS cells.

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