By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
Turkish authorities announced the arrest of a suspect believed to be involved in financing operatives of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. According to Turkish security sources, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) apprehended Liridin Rexhepi, a Kosovar national, on August 30 in Istanbul.
MIT has accused Rexhepi of managing Mossad’s financial network within Turkey. They claim he was responsible for transferring funds to informants who were engaged in various activities, including filming with drones, conducting psychological operations against Palestinian politicians, and gathering intelligence on the situation in Syria.
The investigation into Rexhepi began when he entered Turkey on August 25, with MIT tracking his movements closely. Istanbul’s Counterterrorism Police detained Rexhepi, who, during questioning, reportedly admitted to making cash transfers to Mossad informants via Western Union. Following his admission, he was placed in custody, awaiting a court appearance.
MIT alleges that Mossad has been channeling money to its operatives in Turkey through various methods, including transfers from Eastern European countries, particularly Kosovo. Additionally, Turkish sources have claimed that Mossad used cryptocurrencies to facilitate some of these transactions.
Tensions Between Turkey and Israel Escalate
The arrest comes amidst heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel, especially following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions, going as far as praising Hamas as a liberation group, despite its designation as a terrorist organization by many countries, including Israel and the United States.
In response to Israel’s operations against Hamas, Turkish authorities have intensified their efforts to counter alleged Israeli espionage activities within their borders. Since the beginning of the conflict, Turkish authorities have detained numerous individuals accused of gathering intelligence for Israel. These arrests have included private investigators and others allegedly involved in collecting data on Palestinians living in Turkey.
This crackdown is not unprecedented. Earlier in 2023, Turkish authorities conducted several operations against suspected Mossad operatives. In January, 33 individuals were arrested across eight provinces as part of “Operation Mole.” Subsequent months saw additional arrests of people suspected of selling information to Mossad.
Strained Diplomatic Relations
The latest developments are likely to further strain the already tense relationship between Turkey and Israel. Although the two countries had normalized diplomatic relations in 2022, reappointing ambassadors after years of animosity, the conflict in Gaza has once again driven a wedge between them.
Erdogan’s government has not only been critical of Israel’s military actions but has also taken concrete steps against the country. In May, Turkey halted all trade with Israel. By August, it had filed a request with the United Nations to join South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Erdogan has consistently condemned Israel, accusing it of committing genocide and likening Israeli actions to those of Nazi Germany. These statements have been met with sharp criticism from Israel and its allies, further complicating the prospect of any reconciliation between the two nations.
Israel’s Silence on the Arrests
So far, Israel has not commented on the arrests of suspected Mossad operatives in Turkey. This silence is consistent with Israel’s general policy of not publicly addressing intelligence matters. However, the ongoing arrests and diplomatic hostilities suggest that the shadow war between Turkish and Israeli intelligence agencies may continue to escalate.
As tensions mount, the international community will be closely watching how these developments impact regional stability and the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.