Istanbul: Turkish authorities have arrested two individuals on charges of espionage for Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, in a coordinated operation involving the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Istanbul Police Department.

According to Anadolu Agency, the suspects have been identified as Serkan Cicek and lawyer Tugrulhan Dip. Cicek is accused of working directly for Mossad, while Dip is alleged to have sold information to detectives associated with the agency. Following their questioning by prosecutors, both individuals were referred to a criminal court of peace, which subsequently ordered their detention on charges of 'obtaining confidential state information for political or military espionage.'

Authorities disclosed that Cicek, also known by the alias Muhammet Fatih Keles, operated a private detective agency. He conducted surveillance on a Palestinian activist in Istanbul at the behest of a Mossad operative, reportedly receiving $4,000 in cryptocurrency for his services. Meanwhile, Dip is accused of supplying detectives with personal data from public records in exchange for financial rewards and of aiding Cicek and other spies in their activities.

Cicek has a known history of association with espionage activities, having previously collaborated with Musa Kus, an individual sentenced to 19 years in prison for spying on behalf of Israel.