Hot: Türkiye arrests US consulate staff

Turkish authorities announced on October 5 that they had arrested an employee of the US consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish authorities announced on October 5 that they had arrested an employee of the US consulate in Istanbul for allegedly having contact with preacher Adil Oksuz, whom the Turkish government considers one of the main suspects in the military coup attempt on July 15 last year.

US Consulate General in Istanbul, Türkiye. Photo: Anadolu

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said the consulate employee was caught in regular contact with Adil Oksuz, a preacher who was arrested shortly after the coup attempt in Türkiye but later released and is now on the run.

Turkish officials accuse Adil Oksuz of playing a key role in connecting US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen with the military coup group in Türkiye before the coup.

The US Embassy in Ankara immediately condemned the above actions of Turkish officials, saying that Türkiye's baseless accusations against US diplomatic staff are weakening and damaging the long-standing partnership between the two countries./.

According to VOV