IS suspects detained at Turkey’s Ataturk Airport

K.V., who holds Kyrgyz and Russian passports, and F.M.İ., a Kyrgyz national who also has residency in Ukraine, were detained following the checks.

An Azerbaijani man, suspected of being involved in the Ataturk Airport terrorist attack, was detained and identified in Istanbul, the Turkish Haberturk newspaper wrote July 4.

The defendants, including three foreigners, were jailed pending trial by a judge at Bakirkoy Peace Court, a security source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

13 others were jailed on July 3, including three foreigners.

The Turkish authorities believe that militant group IS, which is active in Syria and Iraq, had carried out the attacks. The third militant detonated his explosives outside at the entrance to the global arrivals terminal.

Last Sunday, Turkish counterterrorism forces charged 13 suspects in the attack and identified the three suicide bombers as ISIS-affiliated citizens of three ex-Soviet bloc countries: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russian Federation.

Russia and Turkey have started mending ties after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented on the eve of the airport attack apologies to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for a Russian jet downed by Turkey in November previous year. The so-called Islamic State (IS) was suspected to be behind the attack. He is identified on a United Nations sanctions list as a leader in Islamic State responsible for training Russian-speaking militants.

Despite deteriorating relations between Ankara and Moscow, the Turkish government has hinted it would seek Russia’s cooperation in combating IS.

“A renewed effort between Turkey and Russian Federation will have the potential to contain the situation in Syria”.

Daesh is an Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

The Turkish military is believed to have stopped more strikes.

Thirteen suspects, including three foreigners, were charged over the June 28 attack, which has left 17 people still in intensive care, and a further 32 recovering in hospital.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan visits Istanbul’s Ataturk airport to pay his respects to the victims of the triple suicide bombings. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are also national holidays, prompting many people to go away for the holidays.