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10-03-2024
ANKARA: A Turkish court on Friday arrested six people, including five former police officers, on charges of spying for Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service.
Unauthorized firearms, drugs, digital materials, documents, surveillance equipment, radios and a sum of money in various currencies were seized during the operation in which police detained seven on Tuesday, which was carried out under the direction of the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
One detainee was released on bail, Turkey’s intelligence agency MIT said.
The suspects, who are believed to have been involved in activities such as gathering information, tracking people and taking photographs on behalf of Mossad, are said to have been compensated for their services. Among those arrested is Hamza Turhan Ayberk, a former police chief suspected of collecting information on Middle Eastern companies and individuals in Turkey, planting tracking devices and conducting surveillance? Ayberk, who used to appear as a commentator on television, is also accused of forming a spy team of former civil servants.
The group allegedly communicated with a Mossad agent through various encrypted messaging platforms to discuss surveillance and intelligence gathering on specific individuals and entities in Turkey. Financial transactions were identified, including payments to Ayberk from a Swiss bank account believed to have been used by Israeli intelligence as well as cryptocurrency transfers.
The operation follows a series of operations earlier this year in which Turkish authorities detained 34 people suspected of planning kidnappings and carrying out espionage activities for Mossad, leading to the arrest of 15 suspects. These events have heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel as there were reports of Israel’s intention to target members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Turkey.
Turkey, unlike many of its NATO allies, does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization. The country has warned of serious consequences if Israel targets Hamas members within its borders. This series of arrests and the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza have further strained relations between Turkey and Israel. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been vocal in his condemnation of Israeli actions and policies.
Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc announced that the number of people arrested for alleged espionage has now reached 63.
Turkey and Israel normalized ties in 2022 and reappointed ambassadors. However, the resumed quickly deteriorated with the start of the Israel-Hamas war, with Ankara one of the strongest critics of Tel Aviv’s military campaign in Gaza.
In December, the head of Israel’s Shin Bet security agency said that his organization was prepared to target the Hamas group anywhere, including in Lebanon, Turkey and Qatar. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan quickly warned of “serious consequences” should Israel target anyone on Turkish soil. (Int’l News Desk)
