Türkiye Arrests Alleged Mossad Financial Operative

Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024.  EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
TT

Türkiye Arrests Alleged Mossad Financial Operative

Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024.  EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
Ferries sail on the Bosphorus backdropped by the Blue Mosque during the sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 01 September 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN

Türkiye arrested a Kosovan national accused of managing the financial network of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency in the country, the Turkish intelligence organization said on Tuesday.

Liridon Rexhepi was detained in Istanbul on Aug. 30, suspected of transferring funds to Mossad personnel operating in Türkiye, Reuters quoted the Turkish intelligence agency MIT as saying.

Türkiye, which has denounced Israel for its war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, has this year detained more than 20 people suspected of having ties to Mossad.

Rexhepi had been under surveillance since his entry into Türkiye on Aug. 25, the MIT statement said. He is alleged to have facilitated financial transfers from eastern European countries, primarily Kosovo, to Mossad agents in Türkiye.

The statement said the funds transferred by Rexhepi were reportedly used for intelligence gathering in Syria, conducting psychological operations against Palestinians, and coordinating drone-related operations.

Rexhepi used money transfer services to move funds into Türkiye. Once in the country, the funds were distributed to field operatives who, in turn, channeled some of the money to assets in Syria, often utilizing cryptocurrency for these transactions, the sources said.



Iran Summons Australian Ambassador over 'Norm-breaking' Content Online

An Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021. (Reuters)
An Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021. (Reuters)
TT

Iran Summons Australian Ambassador over 'Norm-breaking' Content Online

An Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021. (Reuters)
An Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021. (Reuters)

Iran summoned Australia's ambassador in Tehran over the publication of online content it deemed "norm-breaking", the semi-official ILNA news agency said on Tuesday, a day after state media said the post "promoted homosexuality".

The post on the embassy's official Instagram account celebrated "Wear it Purple Day" and expressed dedication to creating "a supporting environment where everyone, especially LGBTQIA+ youth, can feel proud to be themselves".

ILNA quoted Australian Ambassador Ian McConville as saying the post was not intended to insult the Iranian people and their values, and that Iran was not mentioned in it, Reuters reported.

The post remains on the embassy's Instagram account.

In 2022, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described homosexuality as part of the "moral depravity" widespread in Western civilization.