Turkish Authorities Uncover Spy Network Working for French Intelligence: Ahmed Qattan’s Case Exposed

Watan-Turkish media claimed on Tuesday that the country’s authorities have dismantled a spy network operating for the benefit of French intelligence, consisting of Syrians residing in Turkey.

Reports from Turkish newspapers highlighted by (Watan) stated that the “spy cell” working for France is composed of three Syrians, including Syrian human rights activist “Ahmed Qattan.”

Turkish security authorities had arrested Syrian human rights activist “Ahmed Qattan” in November 2023, after raiding his workplace in the YusufPaşa area of Istanbul and taking him to an unknown location.

Turkey: We dismantled a spy cell working for France

The newspaper “Sabah,” which is close to Turkish decision-making circles, claimed in a detailed report that “the cell led by Qattan conducted espionage activities for the French intelligence (DGSE), in exchange for promises of asylum in French territories.”

The main accusation against them, according to the headline of Sabah’s report, is conducting espionage activities for French intelligence. The cell, as mentioned by the newspaper, includes Ahmed Qattan, “Ibrahim Shweesh,” and “Hussam Nahar.”

The newspaper stated that the espionage network, consisting of three individuals and led by Syrian citizen Ahmed Qattan, shared information and forged documents with the French intelligence to discredit Turkey internationally, particularly regarding what it described as the torture of refugees attempting to travel abroad.

According to the same source, the National Intelligence Directorate had been monitoring the “three spies” step by step for months.

It was mentioned that the trio intended to prepare forged documents about the conditions of Syrian refugees in Turkey and Turkish migration policies. It was noted that Syrian activist Ahmed Qattan, who lives in Istanbul, applied for asylum with his family at the French Consulate General in Istanbul.

According to the newspaper’s claim, “Qattan” obtained secret information that was not shared with the public, within the scope of espionage, and it was revealed that he sent it to the French intelligence and attempted to contact some political parties within Turkey.

It continued that the mentioned Syrian activist sent an email to the French Consulate General in Istanbul after the interrogation. In the email, he mentioned that his phones were being tapped and his office was under surveillance, and communication with him should not be done via phone.

The newspaper revealed that Qattan obtained an emergency visa from the French Consulate General in Istanbul based on instructions from the French intelligence.

It clarified that investigations revealed that the activities of the three Syrian agents were conducted in cooperation with an association named “Friends of Aleppo Society,” based in Paris, where French intelligence carries out its activities under the cover of the association.

“Qattan” and his colleagues “Ibrahim Shweesh” and “Hussam Nahar” were under Turkish intelligence surveillance for a long time until they were arrested in Bursa province while preparing to travel to France after obtaining an urgent visa, according to the newspaper’s allegations.

Human rights activist and advocate for refugee rights

According to Syrian activists, “Ahmed Qattan” is one of the prominent Syrian activists advocating for the rights of Syrian refugees in Turkey. He has extensive and clear activity in opposing hate speech and documenting the violations suffered by Syrian refugees, most of which are characterized by racial motives.

This is through the “Justice Center for Refugee Rights” he manages, a center concerned with the affairs of Syrian refugees in Turkey and defending their rights under Turkish law.

The activist Ahmed Qattan had announced on October 29th of last year a complete cessation of any human rights or media activity until the appropriate environment and tools are available.

Qattan attributed his cessation in a post on his Facebook account to the special circumstances and pressures he has recently faced, which have become greater than he can bear alone, as he stated.

“Human Rights Watch” organization accused the Turkish authorities in a report issued in October of arresting hundreds of Syrian refugees and arbitrarily detaining and deporting them.

The Turkish Directorate General of Migration denied what was mentioned in the Human Rights Watch report, affirming that it is “baseless allegations.”