Istanbul – Official documents released by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office have revealed that four out of seven suspects arrested for suspected connections to the Israeli intelligence agency have confessed to their ties with Mossad.Â
These arrests were part of a larger operation conducted by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the General Directorate of Security (EGM), focusing on individuals allegedly involved in espionage activities for foreign intelligence services.
The investigation, led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, identified one suspect, G.K., as having been in contact with an entity referred to as the “Israeli Intelligence Service Online Operation Center” since 2019. Operating under the guise of a “private detective,” G.K. was found to have engaged in research, reconnaissance, and surveillance activities upon instructions from Yuriy Kovalchuk, a figure identified as part of the division. G.K., along with accomplices S.A.Y., F.S.K., S.Y., and Y.A.D., is accused of collecting information on individuals and sharing sensitive data obtained from state databases, in return for financial compensation.
Financial transactions between the suspects and their connections to Mossad were highlighted, with records showing multiple payments made for the exchange of information. The prosecutor’s office pointed out unusual money movements and collaborations in tracking and information gathering, involving the use of GPS devices and photography for espionage purposes.
M.K., another key figure detained under charges of “military and political espionage,” appeared to have played a significant role in the network. Despite M.K.’s denial of the accusations, evidence suggesting illegal acquisition of personal information and financial gains from espionage activities has been noted. The inability to complete the examination of digital materials has left some evidence pending, prompting authorities to request the arrest of the suspects as a precaution against flight risk.
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