The Turkish police have detained 10 suspects in a nationwide operation targeting the illegal sale of confidential trade ministry data, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
The operation, carried out across seven provinces and led by İstanbul police counterterrorism units, is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged military and political espionage, a crime under Article 328 of the Turkish Penal Code, according to the İstanbul Police Department.
Working in coordination with inspectors from the Ministry of Trade, investigators discovered that the suspects accessed and sold sensitive import and export records, classified as trade secrets, from ministry systems. Some of the data were allegedly obtained through contacts at customs offices and sold online via social media platforms and websites.
The confidential information, which was supposed to remain private, was sold to third parties in exchange for payment, according to Anadolu.
During raids on multiple addresses, officers seized numerous digital devices, documents and other evidence. The 10 suspects remain in custody as police continue their investigation.