ISTANBUL: Seven people have been detained in Turkey following a joint operation conducted by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the General Directorate of Security (EGM). According to official documents, four of the detainees confessed to having ties to the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office revealed that one suspect, identified as G.K., has been in communication with Mossad’s “Israeli Intelligence Service Online Operation Center” since 2019, operating under the guise of a private detective. G.K. and accomplices allegedly gathered information on behalf of Mossad, conducting research, reconnaissance, and follow-up activities.
The suspects reportedly obtained information from public institutions and organizations and shared it with others involved in the operation. Payments for information exchanged hands between G.K. and another suspect, M.K., who was detained on espionage charges.
Further investigation uncovered suspicious financial transactions and unusual money movements in the bank accounts of the suspects, including G.K.’s spouse, F.S.K.
Additionally, it was revealed that S.Y., the spouse of another suspect, participated in espionage activities by posing as a family member and placing GPS devices on targets’ vehicles.
M.K. was detained in connection with a separate case of “military and political espionage.” Despite his denial of involvement, evidence suggests he illegally obtained personal information of foreign nationals and shared it with other suspects.
The suspects are facing charges including illegally seizing or disseminating personal data, obtaining confidential state information for political or military espionage purposes, and unlawfully recording personal data.
Authorities noted Mossad’s use of private detectives to track targets in Turkey, collecting biographical information, conducting reconnaissance, and using tracking devices. The investigation revealed that the suspects sold the gathered information to Mossad through private detectives.
The operation, carried out simultaneously in Istanbul and Izmir, led to the arrest of seven suspects, while two others were previously detained in connection with similar crimes.
