Ankara captures chief suspect in 2013 Turkey border bombing
Ankara captures chief suspect in 2013 Turkey border bombing
The chief suspect in a bombing of a Turkish border town has been nabbed by Ankara's intelligence agents in Syria's Latakia and taken back to Turkey.
3 min read
Nazik was one of Turkey's most wanted men [Anadolu]
Ankara has said its intelligence agents have captured the key suspect in a bombing of a Turkish border town in 2013, which left at least 50 people dead.
Yusuf Nazik was captured by Turkish intelligence in the Syrian regime stronghold of Latakia, with the suspect brought back to Turkey by agents, media reported on Wednesday.
He is accused of masterminding a bomb attack on the town of Reyhanli in May 2013, which left at least 50 civilians dead including Syrian refugees and Turkish locals.
Turkey suspects Syrian intelligence were behind the attack with the aim of destabilising the country and in revenge at Ankara's support for anti-regime rebel groups during Syria's war.
Others blamed militants from al-Nusra Front or the Islamic State group for the bombing.
Turkish intelligence said they nabbed Nazik in a "pinpoint operation" and brought him back to Turkey "from secure roads", according to Hurriyet newspaper on Wednesday morning.
Footage of Nazik being held in detention by Turkish intelligence was released by Anadolu news agency, as well as an image showing him in handcuffs.
The video shows the suspect dressed in a tracksuit and standing next to a Turkish flag, as he "confesses" to being behind the bombing.
"I am also addressing the Syrian state: The state of Turkey is big and it will surely bring you to account," he said in the video, which cannot be independently verified.
Yusuf Nazik was captured by Turkish intelligence in the Syrian regime stronghold of Latakia, with the suspect brought back to Turkey by agents, media reported on Wednesday.
He is accused of masterminding a bomb attack on the town of Reyhanli in May 2013, which left at least 50 civilians dead including Syrian refugees and Turkish locals.
Turkey suspects Syrian intelligence were behind the attack with the aim of destabilising the country and in revenge at Ankara's support for anti-regime rebel groups during Syria's war.
Others blamed militants from al-Nusra Front or the Islamic State group for the bombing.
Turkish intelligence said they nabbed Nazik in a "pinpoint operation" and brought him back to Turkey "from secure roads", according to Hurriyet newspaper on Wednesday morning.
Footage of Nazik being held in detention by Turkish intelligence was released by Anadolu news agency, as well as an image showing him in handcuffs.
The video shows the suspect dressed in a tracksuit and standing next to a Turkish flag, as he "confesses" to being behind the bombing.
"I am also addressing the Syrian state: The state of Turkey is big and it will surely bring you to account," he said in the video, which cannot be independently verified.
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Local media said Nazek - who is said to be from southern Turkey's Hatay province - confessed to planning the bomb attack after being interrogated by a Turkish intelligence team, headed by an agent using the codename "Hadji".
He also called for other members of his team living in Syria to surrender to Turkish authorities.
A Turkish official told Hurriyet that the capture of Nazek is a big step towards uncovering the motives and methods behind the attack.
"His testimony corroborates long-standing rumours about the [Bashar al-]Assad regime's active role in the bombing, which killed 53 innocent people," the official said.
"Nazik's capture and repatriation should serve as a reminder to all other criminals that we will never stop hunting them. We will spare no effort to find you, catch you, and bring you to justice."
Turkey has been a strong supporter of Syrian rebel groups fighting Bashar al-Assad's forces.
Its troops are assisting rebel forces in northern Syria, following two Ankara-backed operations against Kurdish militants and the Islamic State group.
Turkey has been victim of numerous bomb attacks and shootings since Syria's war began in 2011, blamed on Kurdish and IS militants.
He also called for other members of his team living in Syria to surrender to Turkish authorities.
A Turkish official told Hurriyet that the capture of Nazek is a big step towards uncovering the motives and methods behind the attack.
"His testimony corroborates long-standing rumours about the [Bashar al-]Assad regime's active role in the bombing, which killed 53 innocent people," the official said.
"Nazik's capture and repatriation should serve as a reminder to all other criminals that we will never stop hunting them. We will spare no effort to find you, catch you, and bring you to justice."
Turkey has been a strong supporter of Syrian rebel groups fighting Bashar al-Assad's forces.
Its troops are assisting rebel forces in northern Syria, following two Ankara-backed operations against Kurdish militants and the Islamic State group.
Turkey has been victim of numerous bomb attacks and shootings since Syria's war began in 2011, blamed on Kurdish and IS militants.
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