In a new wave of detentions targeting people allegedly spying for Israel in Turkey, two out of eight people who were detained have been arrested, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced.
İsrail İstihbarat Servisinin hedefindeki Türkiye’de bulunan şahıslar ile şirketler hakkında bilgi derleyen ve İsrail İstihbarat unsurlarına topladığı bilgi ve belgeleri aktaran şahıslara yönelik düzenlenen “KÖSTEBEK-3” operasyonunda 8️⃣ şüpheli yakalandı❗️
Şüphelilerden;
📌2️⃣’si… pic.twitter.com/bkCSNc7mxh— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) April 5, 2024
Yerlikaya announced on X on Friday that eight people were detained as part of the “Köstebek (Mole) 3” operation targeting people who collect information on individuals targeted by Israeli intelligence organization Mossad and share the information on those individuals with it.
The minister said while two of the detainees have been arrested, the other six were released under judicial supervision.
“We will never allow espionage activities that are intended to be carried out against our national unity and solidarity within the borders of our country,” Yerlikaya tweeted.
The latest operation was conducted in coordination with Turkey’s national police department and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT).
It follows a series of operations earlier this year in which Turkish authorities detained dozens of people suspected of planning kidnappings and engaging in espionage for Mossad, leading to the arrest of more than 20 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 and 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 Erdoğan has been vocal in his condemnation of Israeli actions and policies.
Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced on March 8 that 63 people had been arrested in Turkey for alleged espionage for Israel since 2021, rising to 65 with the latest arrests.
