Overview
Halis Bayancuk, a.k.a. Abu Hanzala, is a Turkish jihadist preacher who has encouraged many young men to join al-Qaeda and ISIS. According to regional analysts, Bayancuk is ISIS’s leader in Turkey.Kasim Cindemir, “Turkey’s ‘Islamic State Leader’ Is Arrested Once Again,” Voice of America, March 8, 2017, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/turkeys-islamic-state-leader-arrested-once-again. Until 2018, Bayancuk has been detained numerous times, but was always freed due to lack of evidence or problems involving the charges against him.“ISIS’ Turkey ‘leader’ sentenced to 12 years in jail,” Ahval, February 8, 2021, https://ahvalnews.com/abu-hanzala/isis-turkey-leader-sentenced-12-years-jail. On February 8, 2021, Bayancuk was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment on charges of “establishing and leading an armed terror group.”“ISIS’ Turkey ‘leader’ sentenced to 12 years in jail,” Ahval, February 8, 2021, https://ahvalnews.com/abu-hanzala/isis-turkey-leader-sentenced-12-years-jail.
Bayancuk, who is a member of the Zaza ethnic group, has been monitored by the Turkish police since 2007 when he first began preaching radical views similar to those espoused by al-Qaeda.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/; A. Smith, “'Leader Of ISIS In Turkey' Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For Terror Offenses; His Organization Continues To Operate Dozens Of Social Media Accounts – Including On Facebook, Instagram, And WhatsApp – And To Produce Videos And A Monthly Magazine,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 26, 2018, https://www.memri.org/reports/leader-isis-turkey-sentenced-14-years-prison-terror-offenses-his-organization-continues#_edn3. Bayancuk’s involvement with the Turkish al-Qaeda network began after Habip Akdaş, a chief al-Qaeda figure in Turkey was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq. Akdaş allegedly carried out the 2003 attacks on the British Consulate General, an HSBC bank, and two synagogues in Istanbul.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/.
In 2008, Bayancuk allegedly met with known jihadists and was leading an al-Qaeda-aligned group that sought to carry out terror attacks in Turkey. The group, which rejects Turkey’s government and the constitutional order, also ran several illegal madrassas and seeks to establish a religious state under sharia. That same year, Bayancuk was detained and considered the primary suspect among 35 others in connection to a terrorist plot targeting a synagogue in Istanbul. Prosecutors demanded Bayancuk receive a sentence of 15 to 22 and a half years imprisonment for leading a terrorist organization.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/. Bayancuk was also allegedly one of the planners of the synagogue bombings in Istanbul in 2008 but was released in May 2009 due to lack of evidence.Kasim Cindemir, “Turkey’s ‘Islamic State Leader’ Is Arrested Once Again,” Voice of America, March 8, 2017, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/turkeys-islamic-state-leader-arrested-once-again.
In 2011, Bayancuk and 50 alleged al-Qaeda members were arrested in a national roundup of terrorists. However, Bayancuk was once again released due to lack of evidence.Kasim Cindemir, “Turkey’s ‘Islamic State Leader’ Is Arrested Once Again,” Voice of America, March 8, 2017, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/turkeys-islamic-state-leader-arrested-once-again. A few years later, in January 2014, Bayancuk was detained in another nationwide al-Qaeda sweep. Bayancuk was charged with facilitating the passage of foreign and Turkish fighters to Syria as well as providing weapons and logistical support to extremists.Kasim Cindemir, “Turkey’s ‘Islamic State Leader’ Is Arrested Once Again,” Voice of America, March 8, 2017, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/turkeys-islamic-state-leader-arrested-once-again. The suspects allegedly collected donations from locals and sent them to al-Qaeda fighters in Syria. However, the prosecution was thwarted when the government removed police chiefs and prosecutors who were in charge of investigating Bayancuk’s case.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/.Bayancuk was released in October 2014 after the Turkish government set up the penal courts of peace, a special partisan court system. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reportedly then enlisted Bayancuk as an ally against Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Muslim scholar resident in the United States who criticized Erdoğan’s corrupt administration and claimed Erdoğan’s policies helped to arm radical jihadist groups.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/.
After being released, Bayancuk established ties with ISIS.Kasim Cindemir, “Turkey’s ‘Islamic State Leader’ Is Arrested Once Again,” Voice of America, March 8, 2017, https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/turkeys-islamic-state-leader-arrested-once-again. In July 2015, Bayancuk then led hundreds of his supporters in Eid prayers in Istanbul where he criticized the Turkish government and called for war. The opposition called the demonstration an assembly of ISIS militants.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/.
Bayancuk was again arrested in 2015 when police raided his home and seized a number of ISIS-related documents. He was released in March 2016.“Leading jihadist figure in Turkey Abu Hanzala convicted,” Hurriyet Daily News, June 28, 2018, https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/leading-jihadist-figure-in-turkey-abu-hanzala-convicted-133904. In March 2017, after government officials canceled one of Bayancuk’s planned speaking engagements, Bayancuk threatened personnel of the Istanbul Governor’s Office via a video broadcast online. Bayancuk was subsequently detained. At some point soon afterwards, Bayancuk was released.“Court arrests key ISIL militant ‘Abu Hanzala’ in Turkey’s northwest,” Hurriyet Daily News, June 8, 2017, https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/court-arrests-key-isil-militant-abu-hanzala-in-turkeys-northwest--114084. A couple of months later, in May 2017, the Sakarya attorney general’s office accuses Bayancuk of operating a secret mosque to recruit members for ISIS.A. Smith, “'Leader Of ISIS In Turkey' Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For Terror Offenses; His Organization Continues To Operate Dozens Of Social Media Accounts – Including On Facebook, Instagram, And WhatsApp – And To Produce Videos And A Monthly Magazine,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 26, 2018, https://www.memri.org/reports/leader-isis-turkey-sentenced-14-years-prison-terror-offenses-his-organization-continues#_edn3.
Bayancuk was once again arrested on June 7, 2017 and sent to jail on charges of “attempting to remove the constitutional order” and “being a member of the ISIL armed terrorist group.”“Court arrests key ISIL militant ‘Abu Hanzala’ in Turkey’s northwest,” Hurriyet Daily News, June 8, 2017, https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/court-arrests-key-isil-militant-abu-hanzala-in-turkeys-northwest--114084. A May 2018 indictment against Bayancuk following an investigation in Diyarbakir determined that Bayancuk allegedly promoted jihad in his religious lectures and claimed that jihad was a religious obligation for all Muslims. Furthermore, according to media sources, Bayancuk’s writing and videos are shared on many Turkish-language Salafi-jihadi websites and social media accounts. One website, Tevhiddersleri.tv—which is allegedly part of a larger network of Bayancuk-affiliated websites hosted in both Michigan and Turkey—had over 2,000 videos and audio recordings of his lectures and featured many of his writings.A. Smith, “'Leader Of ISIS In Turkey' Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For Terror Offenses; His Organization Continues To Operate Dozens Of Social Media Accounts – Including On Facebook, Instagram, And WhatsApp – And To Produce Videos And A Monthly Magazine,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 26, 2018, https://www.memri.org/reports/leader-isis-turkey-sentenced-14-years-prison-terror-offenses-his-organization-continues#_edn3.
On June 27, 2018, a Sakarya court sentenced Bayancuk to 12 years and six months in prison for the crime of “establishing and managing an armed terror organization” and to another year, six months, and 22 days for “organization propaganda,” for a total sentence of 14 years and 22 days.A. Smith, “'Leader Of ISIS In Turkey' Sentenced To 14 Years In Prison For Terror Offenses; His Organization Continues To Operate Dozens Of Social Media Accounts – Including On Facebook, Instagram, And WhatsApp – And To Produce Videos And A Monthly Magazine,” Middle East Media Research Institute, October 26, 2018, https://www.memri.org/reports/leader-isis-turkey-sentenced-14-years-prison-terror-offenses-his-organization-continues#_edn3. In Bayancuk’s first hearing on April 9, 2020, the court ruled to release him, but he was promptly arrested again when opposition parties questioned the release in parliament.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/. On February 8, 2021, an Istanbul court sentenced Bayancuk to 18 months imprisonment on charges of “establishing and leading an armed terror group.” Bayancuk denies being the leader of Turkey’s ISIS cell.“ISIS’ Turkey ‘leader’ sentenced to 12 years in jail,” Ahval, February 8, 2021, https://ahvalnews.com/abu-hanzala/isis-turkey-leader-sentenced-12-years-jail.
Although in jail, Bayancuk’s “charity” organization—Ecir Kapısı Hizmet Eğitim ve Kültür Derneği—remains in operation across several Turkish provinces such as Diyarbakir, Bursa, Konya, and Van, and allegedly receives donations via a British money transfer company called Wise, formerly known as Transferwise. According to media sources, Turkish authorities are aware of Bayancuk’s organization, which was established in 2019, and have yet to halt operations. Additionally, the Bayancuk group’s Konya-based publishing house, Tevhid Kitabevi, continues to sell books and disseminate Hanzala’s articles and sermons online.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/.
According to media sources, the association was approved by the Interior Ministry under registration number 34-251-178. Additionally, the association raises funds in foreign denominations and uses an Islamic lender—Kuveyt Türk, which is run by close associates of the Turkish president—or Wise, a London-based financial technology company.Abdullah Bozkurt, “Abu Hanzala, who inspired many to join al-Qaeda and ISIS, runs jihadist outfit from a prison in Turkey,” Nordic Monitor, July 22, 2021, https://nordicmonitor.com/2021/07/abu-hanzala-who-inspired-many-to-join-al-qaeda-and-isis-runs-its-jihadist-outfit-from-a-prison-in-turkey/.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- ISIS
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, territory-controlling, religious, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, pan-Islamist, Salafist, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Recruiter, leader of Turkish cell
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
- Extremist entity
- Al-Qaeda
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Jihadist, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri
- Position(s):
- Recruiter
ISIS is a violent jihadist group based in Iraq and Syria. The group has declared wilayas (provinces) in Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the North Caucasus. ISIS has also waged attacks in Turkey, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Iraq, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Kuwait.
History
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On January 23, 2019, two car bombs exploded outside of a mosque in Benghazi, Libya, killing 41 people and injuring 80 others. No group claimed responsibility for the blast, but remnants suggested an ISIS affiliate was responsible.