Following the ISIS operation in Yalova that resulted in the deaths of three police officers, an indictment has been prepared against two suspects detained in Kocaeli. It details digital evidence, financial transactions and travel records. The prosecution has requested a prison sentence of up to 15 years for each suspect.

The indictment has been accepted and the suspects have been charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organisation”. It seeks up to 15 years’ imprisonment for each suspect on charges of ‘membership of an armed terrorist organisation’. It includes organisational posts from the digital accounts of Zafer Umutlu, one of the neutralised terrorists, as well as findings regarding his extensive communication with the suspects, financial transactions and travel records. A large-scale investigation is ongoing into the clash that occurred on 29 December 2025 in Yalova against the ISIS terrorist organisation, which resulted in the deaths of three police officers and the injury of eight police officers and one security guard. Following the incident, in which six terrorists were neutralised, operations were expanded to other provinces. On 31 December 2025, Rıza Turgay L. and Abdulmutalip Ö. were detained in simultaneous raids in Kocaeli.

The indictment, prepared by the Kocaeli Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, details the cellular structure and internal communication network of ISIS.

According to the indictment, the Telegram account with the handle “@zafer_ebuhafsa”, which is believed to have been used by Zafer Umutlu (one of the terrorists neutralised in the Yalova clash), was examined by cybercrime units. The account had ‘La ilahe illallah’ (There is no god but Allah) written in its ‘About’ section, as well as an audio recording titled ‘El-Jihad Arabic March’. It was found to contain videos and photos of ISIS members described as ‘martyrs’, as well as organisational posts with Sharia and Jihad content. It was also determined that the account was part of a group sharing similar content.

According to information in the investigation file, Zafer Umutlu is believed to have requested a loan of 100,000 Turkish lira from Semih Can Y. in July 2025, with Y. sending a certain amount of money. Analysis of Semih Can Y.’s HTS (historical traffic data) records revealed frequent contact with Riza Turgay L. and Abdulmutalip O., who reside in Kocaeli.

It emerged that the suspects had recently travelled together in and around Yalova and were in contact with two individuals: Fatih F., a member of the İlim ve Takva Association operating in Yalova; and Mehmet İ., an alleged ISIS supporter. It was also determined that they had travelled on the Yalova–Aydın route, and this information was added to the file.

Examination of Rıza Turgay L.’s mobile phone, which was seized during the operation, revealed a video on the WhatsApp Business application showing ISIS members forming a vehicle convoy bearing the organisation’s flag.

Digital data revealed that Zafer Umutlu, one of the perpetrators of the Yalova clash, was registered in L.’s contacts as “Zafer Yalova”, and that the two had exchanged 404 WhatsApp messages between 26 February and 14 December 2025. It was also established that Rıza Turgay L. had communicated with a number registered under the name of Mehmet Cami Sordabak — another perpetrator of the clash — who was listed under a different name in his contacts.

During a search of the home of the suspect, Rıza Turgay L., in the Abdi İpekçi neighbourhood of the Darıca district, a black beret bearing Arabic writing and a metal keychain bearing similar writing, resembling flags and emblems used by ISIS, were seized.

In his statement, Rıza Turgay L. said that he was a street vendor, denied the accusations against him and claimed that he had previously been tried and acquitted of ISIS membership. He asserted that he did not know most of the individuals referenced in the investigation, that the convoy video found on his phone was likely an unintentional occurrence, and that he had purchased the items found in his home solely because they bore the word ‘Allah’. His lawyer, Gizem Dirbisoğlu, requested his client’s release and acquittal.

In its assessment, the prosecutor emphasised that the suspects, Rıza Turgay L. and Abdulmutalip Ö., had knowingly and willingly acted within the hierarchical structure of the ISIS armed terrorist organisation based on digital evidence, communications and travel records obtained. Their actions were described as continuous and intense, constituting an organisational link. Separate prison sentences ranging from 7 years and 6 months to 15 years were requested for each suspect on charges of ‘membership of an armed terrorist organisation’.

Source: https://www.yalovagazetesi.com/deasli-teroristin-dijital-izleri-kocaelideki-suphelilere-ulasti