ANKARA, Turkey – Suspected Islamic State militants who were detained in raids in Istanbul last week were in contact with the militants in Paris who conducted deadly attacks across the city, a senior Turkish security official said Monday.
The official said the group in Turkey, who were detained before the Paris attacks, include a man they believe is associated with Mohammed Emwazi, the Islamic State militant known as "Jihadi John."
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the investigation.
The suspects were detained in a raid on a luxury villa in the Istanbul suburb of Silivri on Thursday. They were formally taken into custody early Monday after questioning by anti-terrorism police. The state-run Anadolu Agency said the group was made up of six militants, but the security official said more than six people were arrested.
The official said the groups in Turkey and France had exchanged messages about a terror plot in Istanbul linked to the Paris attacks, but did not offer further details.
He identified one of the suspects as British national Aine Lesley Davis. He said Turkish officials are investigating his links to Emwazi.
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Butler reported from Washington.
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