Turkey picks up operative moving money for Israeli intelligence
Turkish security forces have detained a citizen of Kosovo accused of managing an Israeli intelligence money network in Turkey, a security source said on Tuesday.
The source said Liridon Rexhepi had been transferring money to Israel’s field personnel in Turkey, who had been spying on Palestinian politicians, including recording via drones.
They said the operatives had also been compiling information about the situation in Syria.
“Rexhepi had made numerous money transfers to field personnel in Turkey via Western Union,” the source said.
“His activities had been monitored as he entered Turkey on 25 August by the Turkish intelligence agency.”
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters
The source said Rexhepi was arrested on 30 August by the Istanbul police department and he admitted during his police questioning to making money transfers. An Istanbul court has sent him to prison, the source added.
Turkish security sources believe Israeli intelligence service Mossad had been using Eastern European countries, especially Kosovo, to fund its informants and operatives on the ground in Turkey.
'Rexhepi had made numerous money transfers to field personnel in Turkey via Western Union'
- Turkish security source
“As a result of the money tracking, it was determined that the operatives in Turkey transferred the money coming from Kosovo to their subordinates in Syria via Western Union,” the source added.
“It was also determined that operatives in Turkey were paying for their resources in Syria using crypto money.”
Turkish security forces have routinely made arrests of alleged Israeli informants and operative networks in the country in recent years.
As bilateral relationships between the two countries deteriorated over Israel's invasion of Gaza, Ankara has stepped up its efforts to track more Israeli intelligence activities.
Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.
