A joint operation by the Istanbul Police and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) aimed at suspects of spying on Palestinians in Turkey, led to the arrest of 44 people, the dailysabah website reported today (Wednesday).
Seven of the detainees are accused of leaking information about Palestinians living in Turkey to the Mossad.
Taksim Square, Istanbul (photo: official website, from Twitter)
Turkish authorities investigated "consulting firms" in Istanbul that offered private investigative services to clients through their ties to the Mossad.
The Mossad paid suspects to spy on Palestinians and NGOs in Turkey, according to investigators.
The operation took place earlier this week.
According to the detainees' statements, their work helped the Mossad launch campaigns of slander and threats against Palestinians.
Another operation was launched with the aim of capturing 13 other suspects.
Among those arrested are IY - who founded the Union of Private Investigators in 2007, and is a lecturer at the university.
In October, Turkey arrested a spy network of 15 people who worked for the Mossad - according to a report in the Sabah newspaper, which is affiliated with President Erdogan's regime.
According to the report, the group was arrested in a raid about two weeks ago.
According to the report, she collected information about Turkish and foreign students for money and the Palestinians living in the country.
According to the report, the group operated in five separate cells, with three members each.
They were arrested in the operation of the anti-terrorism unit in four different provinces in Turkey.
Israel has not yet responded.
Relations between Turkey and Israel have not been restored since the Marmara flotilla more than a decade ago, despite statements by officials in both countries in favor of normalization of relations.
The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, links this to Israel's policy towards the Palestinians, which he has repeatedly accused of committing "genocide".
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