Ankara court sentences 'Turkey province Emir" of ISIS to 30 years

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The court ruling was announced in the case where Kasım Güler, the "Turkey province Emir" of ISIS (Islamic State) was standing trial in Ankara, Turkey.

Güler, jailed during the trial, and his lawyer participated in today's hearing at the Ankara 20th Heavy Penal Court. Güler reiterated his former defense, told the court that he was not a leader in the organization, stated he had health problems, and requested to be acquitted.

Anadolu Agency reported that he was sentenced to 21 years of imprisonment for "leading an armed terrorist organization," 9 years of imprisonment, and 30 thousand lira for "keeping arms."

What happened?

Güler, code-named "Abu Osama al-Turki" was in the red category in the "List of those wanted on terror charges."

The National Intelligence Organization MİT carried out an operation in Syria, nabbed Güler, and brought him to Turkey in June 2021, following allegations that he was planning to enter Turkey illegally and to carry out terrorist actions.

Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office prepared an indictment for Güler requesting aggravated life imprisonment.

It was reported that Güler had made use of the effective remorse law and confessed plans of many terrorist actions, including a plan to murder the Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

Accordingly, the organization also planned to carry out attacks on tourists, LGBTI+s, and Alevis, a religious minority.

However, Güler also gave statements in the October 10 Ankara train station massacre case where he said, "MİT has taken me in the period when I was being searched with a red bulletin. I stayed for 80 days at MIT and I accepted everything they said." (AS/PE)