ANKARA, Turkey, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Top members of al-Qaida are allegedly among numerous suspected terrorists arrested in raids in several Turkish provinces, security officials say.
Among those arrested was Ibrahim Sen, al-Qaida's Middle East deputy, who was released from the U.S. prison camp in Cuba in 2006, Today's Zaman reported Monday.
Sen was handed over to Turkish authorities in 2008 and later sentenced by a Turkish court to six years in prison on terror charges. The case is on appeal.
Also arrested was Halis Bayancuk, the terror group's representative in Turkey.
The Humanitarian Aid Foundation, an aid agency on the border with Syria, also was raided by Turkish police during the operation.
The group protested the police action, saying it was an attempt by Turkey to link the group to al-Qaida.
"This is an operation to change perceptions [about the foundation] and stop aid being delivered inside Syria," the group said in a statement.
The foundation said it is not connected to any organization or government.
