Verdict reached in trial regarding espionage allegations for Israel

The trial of defendants accused of preparing actions against Palestinian activists living in Turkey and individuals opposed to Israel's Palestine policy, and of espionage for the Israeli intelligence service, has been concluded by the Istanbul 28th High Criminal Court. Announcing its verdict at the hearing, the court sentenced defendants Ahmet Koray Özgürün and Alperen Erkut to 8 years and 4 months in prison each for the crime of 'obtaining prohibited information for espionage purposes' and ruled for the continuation of their detention.

35 DEFENDANTS SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS IN PRISON

The panel, which sentenced 35 defendants to 6 years and 8 months in prison each for the same crime, ruled that judicial control measures in the form of a 'ban on traveling abroad' be applied to these defendants. The court panel also acquitted 19 defendants on the grounds that it was not proven that they had committed the crime of 'obtaining prohibited information for espionage purposes.'

INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that the Israeli intelligence service formed a remote online operations team via internet-based mobile applications, and that through this team, it aimed to perform remote resource procurement, money transfers to sources via live couriers, and tactical-based tasks against its targets in the field. The prepared indictment stated that the initial contact was established via Telegram and WhatsApp applications coded on mobile phones, social media accounts, LinkedIn, and e-mail; that the contact was maintained through operational Telegram and WhatsApp applications; that no video or voice calls were made under any circumstances; and that payments for the work performed were carried out via international money transfer companies, cryptocurrencies, remittance offices, and live couriers. The indictment noted that detectives were utilized for tasks requiring professional execution, while individuals who would not arouse suspicion were primarily used for tactical tasks; that detectives were assigned tasks such as collecting biographical information, reconnaissance, photo/video documentation, live surveillance, placing tracking devices, finding live couriers, and cyber activities; and that the individuals employed by the Israeli intelligence service continued their activities even though they realized the reason and purpose of the incoming requests, the material/moral damage they would cause, and the national security vulnerability they would create. It was also recorded that these individuals, while finding it suspicious that their interlocutors made an effort to hide their identities, did not issue invoices in exchange for the payments made, and made payments through individuals (live couriers) in Turkey despite being abroad, prioritized their financial gain. The prepared indictment requested that 57 suspects be sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison for the crime of 'obtaining information that must remain secret for the state for the purpose of political or military espionage.'