Dutch national accused of being a spy ‘leaves Turkey for his own safety’

ISTANBUL

A Dutch national accused of being a “spy” has left Turkey “for his own safety,” the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated.

The ministry said the unidentified individual “worked at the Dutch Consulate General in Istanbul and was also responsible for regional activities,” the RTL Nieuws TV channel reported on March 27.

Reports in a number of Turkish media outlets had described him as a “spy” who was trying to “spread fake news” about Turkey having ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Turkish military operations in Syria.

“The alleged spy served in Afghanistan and participated in meetings held by opposition groups in Turkey, introducing himself as an employee of the Dutch Defense Ministry,” Sabah newspaperclaimed on March 26. 

“The suspect was reportedly working for Dutch military intelligence and has long been monitored by Ankara,” the report added.