Prison sentences requested for 20 people spying for MOSSAD
Prison sentences ranging from 18 years and 9 months to 45 years have been requested for 20 defendants accused of spying for MOSSAD against foreign nationals in Turkey. The trial regarding the allegations that the defendants leaked information to Israel will be held in November.
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The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared an indictment against 20 defendants on charges of espionage for the Israeli Intelligence Service MOSSAD as part of an ongoing investigation.
For the individuals, 16 of whom are currently in custody, prison sentences ranging from 18 years and 9 months to 45 years are being requested for the crime of "chain-linked political or military espionage."
The indictment states that the defendants engaged in espionage activities on behalf of MOSSAD targeting foreign nationals residing in Turkey. It was stated that MOSSAD's ICOM unit established contact with the defendants through various messaging applications and job advertisements on social media.
It was noted that instructions were transmitted to the defendants via encrypted messaging applications and that no video or voice calls were ever made.
THEY TRANSMITTED INFORMATION TO ISRAEL
It is alleged that the defendants collected confidential information on Palestinian citizens and individuals linked to Hamas who were targeted by Israeli intelligence and transferred this information to Israel.
The indictment includes claims that efforts were made to identify locations where these individuals gathered in groups, and that in the next stage, actions such as abductions and executions could be carried out against them.
Furthermore, it is stated that in exchange for their work, the defendants received money through systems such as "hawala," "cryptocurrency," and "Western Union," which are also used by terrorist organizations. According to MASAK reports, the indictment also notes that the defendants obtained illicit gains through these activities.
THEY LEAKED INFORMATION FOR MONEY
It was reported that in her statement to the prosecutor, one of the defendants, Amal Sallamı Ep Sıala, said she established a business connection with a person who introduced himself as "Mustafa" and that she received 450 dollars in exchange for taking videos and photos of the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul under his instructions.
However, Sıala claimed that she was unaware of any connection to MOSSAD and that she provided this information solely for the purpose of earning money.
TRIAL BEGINS IN NOVEMBER
Under the indictment accepted by the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, the defendants will appear before a judge in November at the courtroom opposite the Marmara Prison. Prison sentences of 18 years and 9 months to 45 years are being sought for the defendants.