Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ANKARA133
2010-01-27 13:42:00
SECRET
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKISH AUTHORITIES: DETAINED ISLAMISTS NOT A
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S E C R E T ANKARA 000133
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015
TAGS: PTER ASEC TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH AUTHORITIES: DETAINED ISLAMISTS NOT A
THREAT TO US INTERESTS
REF: IIR 1671 0011 10
Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
S E C R E T ANKARA 000133
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015
TAGS: PTER ASEC TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH AUTHORITIES: DETAINED ISLAMISTS NOT A
THREAT TO US INTERESTS
REF: IIR 1671 0011 10
Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (S) Refuting Turkish press reports to the contrary,
Turkish National Police (TNP) contacts tell us their
investigations into recently detained groups of alleged
domestic Islamic extremists reveal no plans or intentions to
attack American interests in Turkey. The TNP detained or
arrested up to 130 individuals in separate operations across
the country, beginning with 13 arrests January 15 in Ankara
(REF IIR). Both the TNP and sensationalist Turkish press
referred to the detained and arrested individuals as Al Qaeda
members. Our assessment, based on liaison with the TNP and
other Turkish security agencies, is that the suspects are not
actually believed to have ties to al-Qaeda; rather,
"al-Qaeda" is being used by the media and police as a
catch-all term for suspected Islamic extremists regardless of
organizational affiliation, or whether they have an
organizational affiliation.
2. (S) The detentions and arrests appear to us to have been
pre-emptive. The TNP's goals may have been to disrupt
nascent Islamist cells and show their members that their
activities are subject to monitoring.
We understand charges against many of the detainees may be
difficult to substantiate. We believe most detainees have
been released and that persons still in custody have been
formally charged.
3. (S) We will continue our liaison with TNP and other
security agencies and will relay to addressees Turkish
authorities' final conclusions regarding the arrestees'
activities and intentions. We are evaluating the arrestees
for placement on Visas Viper and other appropriate
"watchlists."
Jeffrey
"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015
TAGS: PTER ASEC TU
SUBJECT: TURKISH AUTHORITIES: DETAINED ISLAMISTS NOT A
THREAT TO US INTERESTS
REF: IIR 1671 0011 10
Classified By: DCM Doug Silliman, for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (S) Refuting Turkish press reports to the contrary,
Turkish National Police (TNP) contacts tell us their
investigations into recently detained groups of alleged
domestic Islamic extremists reveal no plans or intentions to
attack American interests in Turkey. The TNP detained or
arrested up to 130 individuals in separate operations across
the country, beginning with 13 arrests January 15 in Ankara
(REF IIR). Both the TNP and sensationalist Turkish press
referred to the detained and arrested individuals as Al Qaeda
members. Our assessment, based on liaison with the TNP and
other Turkish security agencies, is that the suspects are not
actually believed to have ties to al-Qaeda; rather,
"al-Qaeda" is being used by the media and police as a
catch-all term for suspected Islamic extremists regardless of
organizational affiliation, or whether they have an
organizational affiliation.
2. (S) The detentions and arrests appear to us to have been
pre-emptive. The TNP's goals may have been to disrupt
nascent Islamist cells and show their members that their
activities are subject to monitoring.
We understand charges against many of the detainees may be
difficult to substantiate. We believe most detainees have
been released and that persons still in custody have been
formally charged.
3. (S) We will continue our liaison with TNP and other
security agencies and will relay to addressees Turkish
authorities' final conclusions regarding the arrestees'
activities and intentions. We are evaluating the arrestees
for placement on Visas Viper and other appropriate
"watchlists."
Jeffrey
"Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.intelink.s
gov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turkey"