Seven suspects in Istanbul are allegedly spying on Uyghurs and Uyghur associations in Turkey on behalf of Chinese intelligence. It is reported that they were coerced into spying by Chinese intelligence through threats to harm their family members back in their homeland.
An indictment by prosecutors in Istanbul accuses seven suspects of conducting espionage for China. Suspects, scheduled to appear before a court in Istanbul in the coming weeks, face up to 25 years in prison each.
The Chief Prosecutor’s Office in the city says Chinese intelligence operatives contacted people hailing from the Uyghur Autonomous Region who live in Türkiye and threatened to harm their family members in homeland if they did not obtain intelligence for them. The suspects face charges of “obtaining confidential information regarding state affairs for the purpose of political or military espionage.” They allegedly collected information about Uyghurs and Uyghur associations in Türkiye.
The indictment says Chinese intelligence operatives also offered those people financial support, freedom of travel in East Turkistan and contact with their families in return for working for them. Prosecutors also say the suspects, due to their Uyghur roots, easily mingled with fellow Uyghurs living in Türkiye on refugee status.
Shadeke M., one of the defendants, allegedly met Chinese intelligence operatives in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Shadike is accused of conveying information about several associations bearing the about East Turkestan and Uyghurs. Prosecutors say the suspect was paid more than $132,000 in exchange for the espionage work.
Türkiye and China enjoy close ties, although the issues relating to the rights of the Uyghur community. In recent times, Türkiye has taken steps to strengthen its relations with all regions of China.
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