June 22, 2016 - 8:44 AM
ISTANBUL - A Turkish news agency says Istanbul counterterrorism police have arrested three suspected Islamic State militants who allegedly prepared to attack a gay pride rally.
Following an anonymous tip, police teams on Friday conducted operations in Istanbul's Basaksehir and Pendik districts, where they arrested the trio and seized several weapons, including a suicide vest.
The private Dogan news agency said Wednesday suspects Zelimhan Aslanbek and Bekhan Alim from Russia's Dagestan region along with Turkish citizen Fuat Gunes had allegedly travelled to and from IS territory and armed militants in Istanbul.
They were reportedly planning to attack a transgender pride march that was scheduled for June 19, but was broken up by police after the authorities banned the event citing security concerns.
Authorities couldn't immediately confirm the reports.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016