In a joint operation organized by the National Intelligence Organization and the Istanbul Police Anti-Terror Branch Directorate, 7 people were detained who sold the information they obtained to the Israeli intelligence service Mossad.
One of the detainees was identified as Hamza Turhan Ayberk, a former civil servant who participated in TV morning shows.
Within the scope of its work, MİT determined that Ayberk, a private detective, was leaking information to Mossad in exchange for money.
Ayberk was found to have compiled information on Middle Eastern individuals and companies in Turkey based on the instructions he received.
It was determined that Ayberk, a former civil servant and private detective, formed a team of individuals, including public officials, to provide information to Mossad.
Trained by Mossad in Belgrade
It was determined that Mossad contacted private detective Hamza Turhan Ayberk through an agent codenamed Victoria. Ayberk was first used by the Israeli Secret Service for simple jobs.
In Belgrade in 2019, Ayberk was trained by MOSSAD on the work to be done. Ayberk used secret communication applications under the guidance of MOSSAD. He received payments in cryptocurrencies in order not to be reflected in official records.
Threats and Stalking
In addition to leaking information, private detective Hamza Turhan Ayberk also engaged in threats and surveillance activities.
It was determined that he placed tracking devices on the vehicles of his targets and instantly transmitted their locations to Mossad. It was learned that he harassed the people he followed and made threats from time to time.
“We will never allow espionage activities”
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared the details of the operation on his social media account.
Minister Yerlikaya’s post included the following statements:
Uluslararası Casusluk Faaliyetlerinin Tespit ve Deşifresine yönelik İstanbul’da eş zamanlı olarak İsrail İstihbarat unsurlarına karşı düzenlenen “KÖSTEBEK-2” operasyonunda 7️⃣ şüpheli yakalandı❗️
Ülkemiz sınırları içinde yürütülmek istenen casusluk faaliyetlerine asla izin… pic.twitter.com/iaIcv231hF
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) March 5, 2024
“7 suspects who were found to be compiling information about individuals and companies in Turkey targeted by the Israeli Intelligence Service and transferring the collected information and documents to Israeli Intelligence elements were arrested. As a result of the operations, unregistered pistols, various amounts of narcotics, electronic devices for detecting listening devices, numerous digital materials, documents and foreign currency were seized.
I congratulate our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, our National Intelligence Organization (MIT) members and our police. May God bless your feet. Our nation’s prayers are with you.”
