In a recent development from Türkiye, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the detention of 15 individuals suspected of conducting espionage for Israel. The 15 detainees are part of a larger group of 34 suspects in the ongoing investigation.
Tunc issued a statement that the suspects were taken into custody following an inquiry initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for probable political or military espionage against Türkiye. The suspects have been handed to the Criminal Court of Peace for further actions, with eight of them expected to be handed over to the Provincial Immigration Administration for deportation.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya provided further details on the situation, stating that the suspects were apprehended in a “MOLE” operation carried out by Türkiye’s intelligence agencies in eight provinces, including Istanbul. Reports from state-run media platform Anadolu suggest that these individuals were carrying out espionage activities for Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency. The suspects are alleged to have worked in coordination with the Israeli Intelligence Service to discover, assault, and kidnap foreign nationals residing in Türkiye.
This news comes amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Türkiye has consistently been a vocal supporter of Palestine, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticizing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
However, relations between Türkiye and Israel had slowed down following the October 7 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent siege of Gaza. Erdogan declared Türkiye’s continued support to Palestine, condemning Israel’s policies towards Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry chose to remain silent when questioned about the arrests, bringing forth an additional layer of complexity to the existing geopolitical scenario. More information can be found in this detailed report on JURIST.