Alleged ISIS judge tries to make deal with Turkish court, requests release

A man who served as a "judge" for the Islamic State (ISIS) and who allegedly gave orders for the execution of two Turkish troops tried to make a deal with a Turkish court, suggesting he could provide crucial information in exchange for his release, Can Bursali of Independent Turkish reported.

A video showing two Turkish-speaking soldiers burned alive was released on 22 December 2016 by ISIS, and although the Turkish authorities declined to make a statement for some time, the two were eventually identified as Turkish soldiers Fethi Sahin and Sefter Tas.

While one of the three ISIS members who carried out the gruesome execution, a Turkish national named Talip Akkurt, was reportedly killed by Kurdish fighters of the People's Defense Units (YPG) two years later, the other two, also Turkish nationals, remain missing.

The "judge", Jamal Alwi, who gave the execution order moved to Turkey and settled with his family in the southeastern city of Antep.

He was captured on 15 August 2020 and indicted of giving orders for the execution of two Turkish soldiers, only to be released on 2 March 2021, journalist Ismail Saymaz reported in September 2021.

He was arrested again only after Saymaz brought to light that he owned a bird shop in Antep and went on living like any ordinary citizen.

Alwi said to the judges in a recent court session in July:

"I cannot tell what I know about the execution of the soldiers here in the courtroom. I can tell the things I know only face to face. I request my release."

He added that he would provide information about the person who killed the soldiers if he was released.

Alwi's request was rejected by the court.