Turkish authorities have arrested Liridon Rexhepi, who is accused of managing the financial operations for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency within Turkey, according to state media reports. The arrest took place on August 30 when Istanbul police detained Rexhepi following allegations of his involvement in transferring funds on behalf of Mossad.
Rexhepi, who had entered Turkey on August 25, was arrested after a court hearing in which he reportedly admitted to the charges. The state-run Anadolu Agency confirmed his arrest. Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) had been closely monitoring Rexhepi since his arrival, uncovering that he was responsible for handling significant financial transactions for Mossad.
Investigation Reveals Financial Operations and Surveillance
MIT’s investigation revealed that Rexhepi had been transferring large sums of money via Western Union to Mossad field agents in Turkey. Additionally, it was discovered that he conducted drone surveillance and psychological operations targeting Palestinian politicians.
According to reports, the financial operations orchestrated by Rexhepi involved funds originating from Kosovo and other Eastern European countries. These funds were then channeled through Mossad’s agents in Turkey to sources in Syria using both Western Union and cryptocurrency.
Broader Crackdown on Israeli Intelligence Activities
This arrest is part of a broader effort by Turkish authorities to crack down on espionage activities linked to Israel. Since January, dozens of individuals, including private investigators, have been detained on charges of collecting data on behalf of Israeli intelligence.
The arrest of Rexhepi comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel, particularly following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel, accusing the country of committing genocide in Gaza and comparing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
Turkey-Israel Relations Deteriorate
Although Turkey and Israel had normalized ties in 2022 by reappointing ambassadors after years of strained relations, the situation has quickly deteriorated following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. In response to the escalating conflict, Turkey has taken several measures, including halting all trade with Israel in May and filing a request with a UN court to join South Africa’s lawsuit accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
As the situation continues to unfold, the arrest of Rexhepi is likely to further strain the already fragile relations between Turkey and Israel.