THE three Turkish men, who were arrested for allegedly being linked to terrorism, were deported to Ankara last night, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar tweeted this morning.

“@PDRMsia confirmed that Turkish nationals; Turgay Karaman, Ihsan Aslan and Ismet Ozcelik were deported back to Ankara last night,” tweeted Khalid.

All three were arrested by Malaysian Counter-Terrorism police at three separate locations in Kuala Lumpur on May 2 and May 4.

Later in a statement, Khalid said the three were linked to the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (Feto).

Turkey’s leader Reccip Erdogan had accused the US-based Fethullah Gulen of organising the July 15 coup in that country.

Khalid said Feto has been outlawed by Turkey and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“Furthermore, their travel documents were cancelled by the Turkish government.

“As such, they are considered illegal immigrants and their stay in Malaysia is illegal,” the IGP said.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said in an earlier report that Turgay, 43, and Ihsan, 39, were arrested for alleged links to IS, a claim that Turgay’s wife Ayse Gul Karaman had denied.

She, however, had admitted that Turgay subscribed to “the ideas of Gulen, which are love and patience, everything a human being should have”, and questioned what was wrong with that.

“He is not a member of the Gulen movement, nor is he a supporter or member of IS,” Ayse had said in Kuala Lumpur, days after her husband was arrested.

Ayse had also said she met Turgay in Malaysia 15 years ago and had since made this country their home.

“All six of our children are born and raised here. So this is our first home, not our second home,” she said.

She had also believed the Malaysian government would do her justice and release her husband soon.

“I don’t think they will deport my husband to Turkey; I believe they won’t do this; 15 years we have been living here,” Ayse had said. – May 12, 2017.