Turkey arrests suspected ISIS executioner who was working as a gas repairman

He is thought to have worked for senior ISIS leaders in Syria and appeared in a video where he shot a man in the head

A file photo of a raid by Turkish police officers to arrest ISIS suspects. AP

Turkish police have arrested a suspected former ISIS executioner in the north-western city of Bursa who was working there as a gas repairman.

The man, referred to by local media as YAA and given the code name "Abu Taki Alshamy" by police, is thought to have played a prominent role in the group's execution videos.

He has been living in Turkey for three years and was described by the state-run Anadolu Agency as working for a senior ISIS leader in the Deir Ezzor region of eastern Syria, a former stronghold of the extremist group.

It is alleged he is the same man videoed several years ago in Syria with a full beard, killing a civilian with a shot to the back of the head. Police shared a video of his arrest showing him in work clothes and closely shaved.

His arrest led to the detention of three others in Bursa on Tuesday over alleged ISIS links.

Turkey, which supported the rebellion against Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, was accused by its allies of failing to sufficiently crack down on foreign nationals crossing from Turkish territory to join ISIS.

Deputy leader of the ultranationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in Bursa, Hidayet Vahapoglu, voiced concern that the suspected militant was able to work in Turkey undetected for three years.