Europol says Turks involved with the most threatening criminal networks in Europe - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/europol-says-turks-among-the-most-threatening-criminal-networks-in-europe/
Quick Glance: Europol's Insights on Turkish Criminal Networks in Europe
- A Europol report confirms that under President Erdogan, Turkey has become a hub for criminal syndicates posing a serious threat to European security.
- Turkish criminal networks extend across the Western Balkans, engaging in fraudulent schemes and arms trafficking, with Turkey being highlighted as a key location for online fraud systems.
- Turkey plays a key role in illegal firearms trafficking into Europe and exports weapons to conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa.
- Despite pressure from FATF, Turkey remains on the grey list and has intensified operations against criminal networks in the last 10 months, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of suspects.
Ankara urges Germany to lift arms export restrictions and approve Eurofighter purchase - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/ankara-urges-germany-to-lift-arms-export-restrictions-and-approve-eurofighter-purchase/
European court rules Turkey violated immunity of UN judge - Nordic Monitor: Levent Kenez/Stockholm
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/european-court-rules-turkey-violated-immunity-of-un-judge/
Turkey’s religious authority plans measures to prevent risks to overseas operations - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/turkeys-religious-authority-plans-measures-to-prevent-overseas-operations-risks/
Turkish spies targeted American organization led by former senior US officials - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/turkish-spies-targeted-american-organization-led-by-former-senior-us-officials/
Quick Glance: Turkish spies target American organization
- The Turkish government initiated a covert surveillance initiative to target the US-based organization Turkish Democracy Project.
- The organization was classified as a threat to the authoritarian Erdogan regime and subjected to intense surveillance.
German gov't report underscores Erdogan's willingness to kidnap opponents from abroad - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/german-government-report-highlights-erdogans-willingness-to-kidnap-opponents-from-abroad/
Iranians lead surge in foreign-owned businesses launched in Turkey, prompting security concerns - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/iranians-spearhead-surge-in-foreign-owned-businesses-launched-in-turkey-prompting-security-concerns/
Corrupt police, prosecutors and politicians facilitate cocaine trafficking in Turkey - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/corrupt-police-prosecutors-and-politicians-facilitate-cocaine-trafficking-in-turkey/
Islamist NGO purchases 3 ships to sail to Gaza, awaits Erdogan's approval - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/islamist-ngo-purchases-3-ships-to-sail-to-gaza-awaits-erdogans-approval/
Turkish intelligence has expanded its spy-imam program to gather intel abroad - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/turkish-intelligence-has-expanded-its-spy-imam-program-to-gather-intelligence-abroad/
Quick Glance: Turkish Intelligence Expands Spy-Imam Program Abroad
- Turkish intelligence has intensified its recruitment of imams to gather information abroad.
- Imams undergo training to collect intelligence without alerting host authorities.
- The program is jointly coordinated by Turkey's main intelligence agency, the foreign ministry, and the religious affairs directorate.
- Selected candidates are carefully vetted and operate in alignment with Turkey's national security interests.
Turkey continues to resist implementing ECtHR judgments - Nordic Monitor: Levent Kenez/Stockholm
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/turkey-continues-to-resist-implementing-echr-judgments/
Quick Glance: Turkey's Persistent Resistance to ECtHR Judgments
- The ECtHR issued a groundbreaking decision declaring the conviction of a teacher in Turkey unlawful, potentially affecting thousands facing similar charges.
- Despite the ECtHR's ruling, the Kayseri 2nd High Criminal Court made a controversial decision to revisit evidence and adjourn the trial.
- Experts view this as a government strategy to prolong legal proceedings by reevaluating previously addressed procedures.
- Turkey refuses to implement specific ECtHR decisions, including the release of Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş, leading to international criticism.
Erdogan continues to provide sanctuary to radical Kuwaiti cleric Hakim al-Mutairi in Turkey - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/erdogan-continues-to-provide-sanctuary-to-the-radical-kuwaiti-cleric-hakim-al-mutairi-in-turkey/
Quick Glance: Erdogan's Support for Radical Cleric Hakim al-Mutairi in Turkey
- Turkey shelters radical Kuwaiti cleric Hakim al-Mutairi, linked to al-Qaeda and facing charges in Kuwait.
- Al-Mutairi in Turkey promotes radical ideologies, meets Turkish officials, and receives government support.
- Despite a life sentence in Kuwait, Turkish deportation reversed after Erdogan government intervention.
- Al-Mutairi collaborates with Turkish officials, supports Erdogan, and has ties to extremist groups like al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Erdogan government allowed Turkish soldiers to be killed by ISIS despite being able to rescue them - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/erdogan-government-left-turkish-soldiers-burned-alive-by-isis-despite-being-able-to-rescue-them/
Quick Glance: Erdogan Government Negligence in Turkish Soldiers' Deaths by ISIS
- The Turkish government allegedly failed to rescue two soldiers before their killing by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2016. Their bodies were reportedly buried secretly in a region of Syria controlled by the Turkish intelligence without being brought back to Turkey or informing the families.
- Veteran journalist Adem Yavuz Arslan claimed that Turkish intelligence officials negotiating with ISIS argued that the survival of two more soldiers was not a top priority due to existing casualties. After a video documenting the soldiers' deaths led to public outcry, the government restricted internet access.
- The Turkish General Staff neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the video but visited one soldier's family to declare him a 'martyr.' Further controversies arose from the arrest of the ISIS judge in Turkey responsible for the soldiers' deaths and the involvement of government officials in the negotiations with ISIS.
- Despite evidence linking the Erdogan government to armed jihadist groups, the judge was temporarily released and later sentenced to life imprisonment. This case highlighted the government's controversial dealings with extremist elements and the consequences of negligence in protecting Turkish soldiers.
Erdoğan's son-in-law, manufacturer of military drones, joins billionaires list - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/erdogans-son-in-law-manufacturer-of-military-drones-joins-billionaires-list/
Quick Glance: Erdoğan's Son-in-Law, Drone Manufacturer, Makes Billionaires List
- Selçuk Bayraktar, the chairman of Baykar, a Turkish defense contractor, and also the son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, appears on Forbes’ latest billionaire list.
- Bayraktar has a majority share of 52.5 percent in Baykar, where he also holds the position of chairman and serves as the company’s chief technology officer.
- Baykar’s drones have been exported to over 30 countries and have been actively used in conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in 2020 as well as Libya and Ukraine.
- Selçuk Bayraktar and his family are criticized for the government’s alleged lack of attention and support for drone projects of other private and public companies.
Turkey’s abuse of Interpol halts partnership with CAR, an organization that traced ISIS explosives to Turkish firms - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/turkeys-abuse-of-interpol-halts-partnership-with-car-an-organization-that-traced-isis-explosives-to-turkish-firms/
The Islamist leader responsible for Erdogan's local election loss attributes defeat to Sweden and Israel - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/the-islamist-leader-responsible-for-erdogans-local-election-loss-attributes-defeat-to-sweden-and-israel/
Turkey's judiciary has become a tool of tyranny under Erdogan's rule - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/04/turkeys-judiciary-has-become-a-tool-of-tyranny-under-erdogans-rule/
Ankara overcomes EU blockade on Turkish munitions to Ukraine, partners with US - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/ankara-surpasses-eu-blockade-on-turkish-munitions-with-the-us/
Erdogan's bodyguards: Thugs with impunity in Turkey's repressive regime get even more pay - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/erdogans-bodyguards-thugs-with-impunity-in-turkeys-repressive-regime-receive-more-cash/
Russia-Ukraine conflict takes toll on commercial traffic through the Turkish Straits with a sharp decline in warships - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/russia-ukraine-conflict-takes-toll-on-commercial-traffic-through-the-turkish-straits-with-sharp-decline-in-warships/
Turkey's revolving door policy for release of ISIS suspects may lead to new terror incidents - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkeys-revolving-door-policy-for-release-of-isis-suspects-may-lead-to-new-terror-incidents/
Quick Glance: The remarkable evolution of ISIS-K's leader into a formidable group
- Sanaullah Ghafari, in his role as the leader of the Afghan branch of Islamic State, played a significant role in the transformation into an extremely menacing branch of the global Islamist network, capable of conducting operations far from their bases in the border regions of Afghanistan.
- The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the massacre at a concert hall near Moscow that resulted in the deaths of at least 137 people. U.S. officials indicated that the Afghan branch, Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), was responsible.
- Ghafari has enhanced the group's strength through his firm ideology and notable attacks. He has made repeated attempts to target Russia in response to its involvement in the Syrian civil war, which contributed to defeating ISIS' regional operations.
- By using high-profile attacks as a tool for recruitment, the group has focused on ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks in Central Asia. ISIS-K is planning to escalate its foreign operations, including attacks against the United States.
Turkish judge at Europe's top human rights court makes it her mission to defend Turkish government’s false arguments - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkish-judge-at-europes-top-human-rights-court-makes-it-her-mission-to-defend-turkish-governments-false-arguments/
Quick Glance: Turkish Judge Upholds Turkish Government's False Arguments
- Judge Saadet Yüksel continues to advocate for Turkish government's positions at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
- The ECtHR ruled that the rights of detained journalist Ayşenur Parıldak were violated by Turkey, ordering compensation of 22,000 euros.
- Yüksel frequently diverges from other judges, supporting the government in human rights violation cases in Turkey.
- Her close ties to the Turkish government and controversial decisions have raised concerns about her impartiality.
Turkey submitted fabricated evidence to ECtHR to defend rights violation - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkey-submitted-fabricated-evidence-to-european-rights-court-ecthr-to-defend-rights-violation/
Quick Glance: Turkey's Use of Fabricated Evidence at ECtHR
- Turkey submitted forged evidence at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to defend the wrongful imprisonment of two judges.
- In September 2022, the ECtHR ruled in favor of judges Metin Özçelik and Mustafa Başer, who were jailed for issuing rulings against the government.
- The government imprisoned the judges post-verdict, disregarded international criticism, and suspended the rule of law.
- Fabricated evidence was leveraged to construct ties to a movement critical of the government, showcasing the extent of manipulation of justice by the government.
Turkey to create secure zones in Iraq for counterterrorism, signaling permanent military presence - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkey-to-create-secure-zones-in-iraq-for-counterterrorism-signaling-permanent-military-presence/
Turkish government's crackdown on literature: 'Don Quixote' falls victim to book ban - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkish-governments-crackdown-on-literature-don-quixote-falls-victim-to-book-ban/
Erdogan aims to enhance trade with Ukraine without provoking Russia - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/erdogan-aims-to-enhance-trade-with-ukraine-without-provoking-russia/
Erdogan government feigned ignorance about secret Hamas meeting in Turkey - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/erdogan-government-feigned-ignorance-on-secret-hamas-meeting-in-turkey/
Quick Glance: Turkish Government Concealing Secret Hamas Meeting in Turkey
- Turkey's Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, refrained from responding to a parliamentary inquiry regarding a purported undisclosed gathering of senior Hamas officials in Turkey, a nation recognized for offering refuge to Hamas leaders and affiliates.
- As per a report by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) on December 17, 2023, a concealed coordination session involving prominent Hamas members, such as Hamas' Deputy Chairman of the Political Bureau Saleh al-Arouri and former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, took place in Turkey in early December.
- On August 22, 2020, Turkish President Erdogan and his team of security and intelligence personnel engaged in discussions with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Saleh al-Arouri.
- Beginning in 2021, Turkey executed a series of five preplanned operations involving law enforcement and intelligence agencies to counter alleged Israeli intelligence operations within the country, leading to legal actions.
The Greek Orthodox minority in Turkey faces the threat of disappearance - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/the-greek-orthodox-minority-in-turkey-faces-the-threat-of-disappearance/
UK launches new trade talks with Erdogan government - Nordic Monitor: Levent Kenez/Stockholm
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/uk-agrees-to-new-free-trade-agreement-with-erdogan-government/
Turkish president’s chief aide says US hegemony will soon end, lambasts Egypt over Gaza - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkish-presidents-chief-aide-predicts-the-end-of-us-hegemony-lambasts-egypt-over-gaza/
Turkish president's confidant predicted NATO's 2nd largest military would be transformed into caliphate army - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkish-presidents-confidante-predicted-natos-second-largest-military-to-transform-into-caliphate-army/
Document shows US Department of Justice rejects Turkey's labeling of dissidents as terrorists - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/document-shows-us-department-of-justice-rejects-turkeys-labeling-of-dissidents-as-terrorists/
Quick Glance: US Rejects Turkey's Labeling of Dissidents as Terrorists
- The US Department of Justice denied Turkey's request for assistance in taking the statement of a Turkish dissident within the scope of a terrorism investigation, citing freedom of expression and the First Amendment. Critics of the Erdogan government abroad were often denied consular services and had their passports revoked.
- On September 12, 2023, the US competent authority received a request from Turkish authorities for legal assistance. The Turkish government accepted activities such as having an account at the Gülen-affiliated Bank Asya, holding an administrative position at a Gülen movement-linked institution, and subscribing to the group’s publications as benchmarks for identifying and arresting followers of the Gülen movement.
- The US authorities declined the request, citing constitutional protections under the First Amendment. Both the American judiciary and the European Court of Human Rights have ruled that Turkey's allegations against members of the Gülen movement lack legal basis. Turkish diplomats were previously found profiling dissenters in the US, accessing travel records of a US resident critical of the Turkish government.
- According to a confidential document from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Turkish diplomats collected the travel records of a doctor known for his political views and alleged affiliation with the Gülen movement. The doctor, facing politically motivated criminal prosecution, had to relocate to the US to avoid imprisonment, yet Turkish diplomats continued to track his activities and report to Ankara.
Turkey to earn revenue from oil and gas in Somalia in exchange for security cooperation - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkey-to-acquire-revenue-from-oil-and-gas-in-somalia-in-exchange-for-security-cooperation/
Turkey escalates covert intelligence activities in Europe and North America - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkey-escalates-covert-intelligence-activities-in-europe-and-north-america/
Assassination trial uncovers journalist recruited by Turkish Intelligence - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/assassination-trial-uncovers-an-agent-journalist-recruited-by-turkish-intelligence/
Turkey's dependence on Russia for energy deepens with plans for second nuclear plant collaboration - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkeys-dependence-on-russia-in-energy-deepens-with-plans-for-2-nuclear-plant-collaboration/
Turkish businesspeople incriminated in a multi-million dollar fraud targeting US organic food market - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/turkish-businesspeople-implicated-in-a-multi-million-dollar-fraud-targeting-us-organic-food-market/
Turkey has threatened Greece with a loss of sovereignty over islands in the Aegean - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/turkey-has-threatened-greece-with-a-loss-of-sovereignty-on-islands-in-aegean/
Jihadist foundation run by Erdogan family claims to inspire young people with Abu Ubaida as a role model - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/03/jihadist-foundation-run-by-erdogan-family-claims-to-raise-young-people-following-abu-ubaida-as-a-role-model/
Turkish Salafist publisher who inspires ISIS remains untouchable in Turkey - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/turkish-salafist-publisher-who-inspired-isis-remains-untouchable-in-turkey/
Smuggled oil from Libya sold on domestic market in Turkey - Nordic Monitor: Levent Kenez/Stockholm
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/smuggled-oil-from-libya-sold-on-domestic-market-in-turkey/
Pentagon report says ISIS taps Turkey for cash transfers to support global ops - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/pentagon-report-says-isis-taps-turkey-for-cash-transfers-to-support-global-ops/
Turkish intelligence-backed NGO organizing a new flotilla to Gaza by end of March - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/turkish-intelligence-backed-ngo-organizing-a-new-flotilla-to-gaza-by-end-of-march/
Turkish drug trafficker laundered Iranian funds through breakaway Turkish Cyprus - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/turkish-drug-trafficker-laundered-iranian-funds-through-breakaway-turkish-cyprus/
Turkey assures Muslim Brotherhood that rapprochement with Egypt will not affect them - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/turkey-assures-muslim-brotherhood-that-rapprochement-with-egypt-will-not-affect-them/
Erdogan government appointing more shady figures as ambassadors - Nordic Monitor: Levent Kenez/Stockholm
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/erdogan-government-appointing-more-criminals-as-ambassadors/
No remedy for torture victim kidnapped by Turkish intelligence, held captive at a black site - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/no-remedy-for-torture-victim-kidnapped-by-turkish-intelligence-held-captive-on-a-black-site/
Erdogan alleges Boris Johnson's role in unsuccessful peace talks, reiterating Putin's 'sincerity' - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/erdogan-alleges-boris-johnsons-role-in-unsuccessful-peace-talks-affirms-putins-sincerity/
'Israel must be destroyed,' said chief Middle East advisor to Turkey’s President Erdogan - Nordic Monitor
nordicmonitor.com/2024/02/israel-must-be-destroyed-says-the-chief-middle-east-advisor-to-turkeys-president-erdogan/
New to NewsWall?
Sign up now to get your own personalized news!
Trending topics