Security sources who have knowledge on the issue reported on Wednesday that Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and police forces launched an operation against Iranian espionage network in eastern Turkey.
According to the sources, eight people affiliated with the network, including two Iranian agents, were arrested through a joint operation carried by MIT and police on September 24.
According to the sources, the MIT-led operation was carried to thwart an Iranian intelligence operation, attempting to kidnap a former Iranian soldier who was identified only by the initials M.A., to Iran. The Iranian agents were caught with a budget of $30.000 likely to use to establish a network for the kidnapping operation.
The Iranian intelligence officers are said to have ordered the espionage network to offer M.A’s wife $10,000 in exchange for her help in the abduction of her husband. Turkey’s MIT closely has followed the members of the network, according to the sources.
The initial findings show that the espionage network threatened the wife, named only by her initials M.E. with hurting her family living in Iran if she rejects the offer.
The network members were caught red-handed by the MIT and police after being deployed to the eastern Turkish province of Van to kidnap M.A. to Iran through a vehicle.
Also, it was reported that six other Turkish citizens were caught in the ongoing operation.
