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Türkiye's intelligence services have detained two suspects accused of conducting espionage activities for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, following a joint operation by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and Istanbul Police Department.
Serkan Cicek, identified as working for Israeli intelligence, and lawyer Tugrulhan Dip, accused of selling information to detectives conducting espionage, were arrested after completing their testimonies at the prosecutor's office. Both suspects were charged with "obtaining state secrets for political or military espionage purposes" and ordered detained by a criminal court.
According to prosecution documents, Cicek conducted surveillance work at a residential complex in Istanbul's Basaksehir district, taking photographs and videos of the site. The complex reportedly houses predominantly foreign nationals and has been subject to monitoring in previous investigations.
Court records indicate that Cicek shared the surveillance materials through WhatsApp with an individual using the code name Faysal Rasheed, identified as a Mossad operative. The communications included negotiations for physical surveillance and photography services in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.
Intelligence investigations revealed that Rasheed, a member of Israel's "Online Operations Center," contacted Cicek on July 31 through WhatsApp, presenting himself as law firm personnel abroad. Rasheed requested a four-day surveillance operation targeting a Palestinian activist living in Basaksehir who opposed Israel's Middle East policies.
Cicek allegedly searched for rental properties in the complex to facilitate surveillance of a specific target. In his statement, the suspect denied the charges, claiming he accepted the work solely for fraud purposes and performed no actual services after receiving the agreed $4,000 payment.
However, prosecution files indicate that security camera footage confirmed Cicek's photographing activities at the location. The suspect has outstanding warrants from Sirnak Criminal Court for "document forgery" and "fraud" charges.
Lawyer Tugrulhan Dip allegedly provided support for Cicek's operations and worked with multiple detectives conducting espionage for Mossad. Court documents reveal Dip's connection to Musa Kus, who was previously sentenced to 19 years in prison for espionage activities benefiting Israel.
Dip allegedly sold information from public records to detectives in exchange for financial gain, using illegal query systems to obtain personal data that was subsequently offered to Israeli intelligence services. Financial records show numerous money transfers between Dip and the convicted spy Musa Kus.
The investigation determined that Cicek, whose real name is Muhammet Fatih Keles, changed his identity after accumulating significant debts in his business ventures and established "Pandora Detective Agency" in 2020. Despite knowing of Musa Kus's conviction for working with Israel, Cicek accepted Rasheed's surveillance proposal targeting the Palestinian activist.
MIT's intelligence work revealed that Cicek conducted reconnaissance at the residential complex on August 1-2 under the pretense of seeking rental accommodation, though he was unable to locate his assigned target. Communication between Cicek and the Mossad operative ceased on August 3.
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