“Not true. The news is false. I know,” he told a press conference after a programme at Universiti Teknologi Mara here, today.
Yesterday, a portal called Turkey Purge cited a report by the country’s news agency, Anadolu, that claimed officials from the Turkish National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), an anti-terror police unit and an anaesthetist were “actively involved in the forced return of Malaysian-based Gulen followers” last week.
The agency was referring to the three Turkish nationals – Turgay Karaman, Ihsan Aslan and Ismet Ozcelik – who were detained by Malaysian police earlier this month and deported to Turkey last week.
According to Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, the three were believed to have been involved in activities related to the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (Feto).
Turkey Purge, citing Anadolu further, said the Turkish operatives’ involvement were kept secret, and that even their families were unaware of it.
Zahid when asked about the claim, insisted that Malaysian authorities had arrested the trio after the police obtained information from the Regional Digital Counter-Messaging Centre (CMC), and other international intelligence agencies.
“With the information received, we found out that the trio were members of an organisation banned in Turkey, and wanted to use Malaysia as a place to launch a new movement outside Turkey.
“If we give them long-term protection, it will tarnish our country’s image. We cannot let that happen,” said Zahid, who is also home minister.