Syrian activist detained in Turkey on suspicion of spying with French intelligence

Turkish authorities have apprehended Syrian activist and businessman, Ahmed Katie, following allegations of espionage for the French intelligence agency, as reported by a Turkish newspaper on Tuesday.

Ahmed Katie's disappearance in late November raised concerns until Turkish security forces notified his legal representatives of his detention in mid-December for questioning regarding his activities.

Sources cited by Sabah newspaper, familiar with Katie's case, disclosed that he was allegedly recruited by French intelligence, particularly the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), with promises of asylum for himself and his family in exchange for services rendered.

The report suggests that Katie was tasked with providing misleading information about Turkey's treatment of Syrian refugees and immigration policies to French officials, potentially straining Turkey's relations with Europe.

According to the report, Katie purportedly led a small intelligence unit and was monitored by Turkish Intelligence (MIT) for approximately a year. His instructions allegedly came from directors of a Paris-based NGO linked to DGSE control.

However, Katie's lawyer, Halim Yilmaz, refuted these accusations in a phone interview with Middle East Eye, asserting their intent to contest the charges in court. Yilmaz confirmed Katie's arrest on espionage charges on December 12th.

The court ordered Katie's continued detention pending completion of examinations on his electronic devices. Turkish officials have refrained from commenting on the matter.

Katie, hailing from a family in Idlib known for opposing the Syrian government, has a history of clashes with Bashar al-Assad's regime. Despite facing arrests previously, he emerged as a vocal advocate for Syrian refugees during his residency in Turkey over the past decade.

Reports suggest that Turkish intelligence officials had previously interrogated Katie in October, during which they instructed him to purchase a SIM card and hand it over, a request considered peculiar by sources familiar with the case.

In light of rising tensions against refugees in Turkey, Katie reportedly expressed concerns about raising his children in the country and sought political asylum through the French consulate in Istanbul.

Despite his efforts to expedite the process, Katie was apprehended before his scheduled departure in December.

Allegations against Katie include disseminating false information regarding Syrian refugees in Turkey to foreign media outlets and acquiring and sharing personal data of foreign residents in Turkey with French intelligence.

While the French embassy in Ankara declined to comment, inquiries sent to the implicated NGO remained unanswered at the time of publication.