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Ten suspects were detained in an Istanbul-centered operation across seven provinces in Türkiye as part of ongoing investigations into reportd military and political espionage involving the illegal sale of sensitive defense sector data.
The Istanbul Police Department's Counterterrorism Branch, working in coordination with inspectors from the Ministry of Trade, launched an investigation into suspicions that confidential trade data had been sold to third parties.
According to Turkish authorities, the suspects obtained import and export records classified as commercial secrets within systems used by the Ministry.
These data were reportedly accessed by personnel at customs directorates and then sold to unauthorized individuals via social media platforms and various websites.
Among the detained were four individuals employed at customs enforcement directorates.
Investigators determined that they had accessed sensitive data on equipment and materials purchased or sold by defense industry companies in Türkiye.
This information was reportedly passed on to social media influencers and website operators, who then sold the data to entities connected to companies based in the United Kingdom.
Authorities said that these UK-linked companies further evaluated the data and reportedly sold it to rival nations and businesses as part of what was described as "economic intelligence."
The operation spanned seven provinces and resulted in the detention of 10 suspects. Searches conducted at multiple addresses led to the seizure of numerous digital materials, documents, and other evidence related to the case.
All suspects remain in custody as legal proceedings continue. Forensic examination of the seized evidence is underway, and authorities have not ruled out additional arrests as part of the investigation.
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