Turkish Foreign Ministry voices solidarity with TIKA worker arrested by Israel

ANKARA

A Palestinian employee of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) aid agency, Muhammad Murtaja, arrested by Israel last month and accused of aiding Hamas, is “innocent until proven guilty,” a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman stated on March 21.

“Murtaja’s situation and the judicial process in Israel is being monitored closely,” ministry spokesman Hüseyin Müftüoğlu said, adding that all types of legal support will be procured to adequately secure his rights. 

“It is well known by both the public and host communities that TIKA adheres to collaborative and transparent principles in line with international standards,” he also said.        

Murtaja was arrested on Feb. 12 at the Erez checkpoint between Gaza and Israel while traveling to Turkey to receive vocational training from TIKA.        

He is accused by the Israeli authorities of “cooperating with Hamas,” “being a member of an enemy organization,” “having contact with enemy spies,” and “plotting against state security.”