Turkish security forces have detained a Greek citizen accused of spying for the Athens secret services, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday.
The man, identified as Muhammed Amar Ampara, was allegedly involved in gathering information on the deployment of military units from the Turkish border, as well as information on Turkey’s Syrian population and Turks who fled to Greece following an attempted coup. Condition. in 2016 in Turkey.
Anadolu, citing unnamed security sources, released a photograph of a bald, bearded man in handcuffs, who appeared to be in his 50s or 60s, the Associated Press reported.
Ampara was reportedly detained as part of an investigation by the Turkish Secret Services (MIT), the news agency reported, without giving any information on where and when he was detained. An official at the Greek embassy in Ankara declined to comment on the Turkish accusations.
The arrest of the suspected Greek spy comes amid renewed tensions between Turkey and Greece. Neighbors and allies, both NATO members Turkey and Greece, have a history of disputes over a variety of issues, such as mineral exploration in the eastern Mediterranean and rival claims in the Aegean Sea.
Recent discussions have focused on Greek islands off Turkey’s Aegean coast, with Ankara accusing Athens of building a military presence in violation of signed treaties.
Greece said it was acting in accordance with international law and defending its islands against Turkish hostility.
Turkey is home to the largest refugee population in the world, including around 3.7 million Syrians. Their presence has become a major political issue in the run-up to national elections scheduled for the next 12 months.
After a failed coup in July 2016, some members of a group linked to an American cleric, whom Ankara accuses of organizing the attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, fled abroad, notably to Greece.
Source: Observadora
