French couple held in Istanbul over alleged Daesh links

By Halil Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - A French couple, who have been accused of being members of Daesh terrorist organization, were arrested in Istanbul, a police official said on Wednesday.

Anti-terrorism squads detained the couple, identified by the initials R.M. and F.P., together with their three children at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport while they were attempting to go to France on Tuesday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said the anti-terror teams acted after they received intelligence from a French security unit.

The suspects were allegedly planning to join Daesh terrorist organization in Syria from Turkish soil, the official added.

They will be deported after the security procedure is completed.

Turkish security forces have been involved in a long-running campaign to thwart Daesh attacks.

More than 300 people have lost their lives in Daesh-claimed attacks in Turkey, where the terror organization has targeted civilians in suicide bomb, rocket and gun attacks.