Turkish court arrests 4 over alleged al-Qaida links; Islamic aid workers released

ANKARA, Turkey – Lawyers say a Turkish court has formally arrested four people over alleged links to al-Qaida while two workers of an Islamic aid organization were released without being charged.

The two employees of the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, or IHH, were among 24 people detained in police raids Tuesday. Turkish media reports said the police probe is focusing on alleged help to al-Qaida militants in Syria.

Foundation lawyer Cihat Gokdemir said Friday its two employees were released without charges.

Another lawyer, Omer Yuzgul, said of the 24 people detained, four were jailed, eight were released from custody while 12 were still being questioned.

IHH denounced the raids as an attempt to discredit the organization. The group had operated a Gaza-bound ship that was stormed in 2010 by Israeli security forces.