Istanbul intelligence unit head called for deposition over allegations of leaking graft probe

ISTANBUL

Istanbul’s public Prosecutor’s Office has summoned Istanbul Intelligence Unit head Ahmet Arıbaş. AA photo

Istanbul’s public Prosecutor’s Office has summoned Istanbul Intelligence Unit head Ahmet Arıbaş to give a deposition as a “suspect” within the investigation launched over accusations of “leaking the Dec. 17 corruption operation.”

Istanbul Police Chief Selami Altınok, who recently came to the post after his predecessor Hüseyin Çapkın was dismissed, did not allow Arıbaş to give a testimony, on the grounds that “it could not be understood over which evidences and which accusations he has been called.”

Arıbaş, who was appointed to the post last July, is reportedly accused of tracking the Smuggling and Financial Crimes Unit teams while they were on the trail of Azeri businessman Reza Zarrab, one of the key suspects of the graft probe.

The Financial Crimes Unit officers had reported to the public prosecutor’s office they were followed by a car suspected to be belonging to intelligence units.

Zarrab is under arrest along with 14 others including sons of two ministers, Interior Minister Muammer Güler and Economy Minister Zafer Çağlayan, over suspected corruption and bribery involvement.