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Debates over Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (Millî İstihbarat Teşkilatı, MİT) have increased recently in Germany’s Federal Parliament.
Turkey became a prominent subject of discussion through the parliamentary questions that were raised by ultra-right party Alternative for Germany (AFD) and the Left Party. The latest question that was raised came from the Free Democratic Party (FDP). It addressed the issue of “spying in Germany” where Turkey was the main object of concern.
Benjamin Strasser, who raised the question on behalf of the FDP, stated that it is not surprising that Germany is a target for Turkish intelligence
He noted that many Turkish people live in Germany and not all of them are supporters of Erdoğan. He added that many political refugees came to Germany since the attempted coup of 15 July 2016. Opponents of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) escaped from Turkey and applied for political asylum in Germany. MİT operations have increased in Germany for that reason. MİT not only collects information about them, asserted Strasser. It also “tries to suppress them and even tries to spy on them through German securıty organisations”.
Strasser insists that it is not acceptable to have spying activities between two NATO members and warns the German government about the current situation. It is clear that Turkey should stop spying in Germany.
After another parliamentary question was raised by the Left Party about similar concerns, Germany started investigations into thirty-five people over their alleged spying activities. However, these investigations are still proceeding.
