Turkish government to investigate FBI agents

The AKP government has started an investigation against FBI agents in Turkey allegedly linked to Fethullah Gülen's network, pro-government newspaper reported
Friday, 15 December 2017 18:58

The AKP government will investigate some 30 FBI officers in Turkey after the Hüseyin Korkmaz, who is a member of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen's network and who fled to the U.S., said he had received $50,000 from the FBI and financial assistance from U.S. prosecutors for his rental payments.

According to pro-government daily Yeni Şafak, one day after Korkmaz's remarks in the US court, an FBI official was called to the Security Directorate's Intelligence Department. The FBI officer was asked for clarification on Korkmaz's statements.

Korkmaz told jurors he fled Turkey in 2016 and took his evidence with him. CIA-linked Gülen network was one of the masterminds of last year's failed coup attempt. Korkmaz gave the files to the United States law enforcement authorities, who have used the material to prosecute Zarrab, who has since pleaded guilty and is cooperating with the government.

MORE THAN 30 PERSONNEL

Personnel working for intelligence agencies of the US such as the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are under scrutiny in Turkey. It is known that FBI and DEA have officially more than 30 personnel in Turkey. It is also known that the FBI, whose number of unofficial personnel is unknown, has participated in various operations in Turkey.

Preparations for an official investigation against FBI agents who are presumed to be associated with Gülen's network have been continued. This association especially targets those who are predicted to have links before and after December 17-25, 2013 that shook Turkey with corruption and bribery claims involving many Turkish ministries, then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, now president, and his family, and that was labelled as a coup attempt by Erdoğan himself.

FBI officials will be investigated on charges of "leakage of classified information related to the security and internal or external political benefits of the state" if the contacts with Korkmaz are determined.

Legal action will be taken against the FBI agents linked with Fethullah Gülen and other US intelligence staff will not be allowed to work in Turkey. The FBI officers will also be deported from the country. Korkmaz's escape from Turkey is among the topics investigated. Whether or not the said agents are involved and the fake passport in the entrance to the United States is again supplied by these agents will be investigated.