Turkish students questioned over Iran spying claims

ARDA AKIN ISTANBUL – Hürriyet

The students were handed over to their families, while a suspect who was the leader of the group, identified only by the initials K.A., has been detained. Hürriyet photo

A group of Turkish students who were sent to Iran for education have been questioned over claims that they were exploited for spying activities.

Turkish authorities questioned 25 students, aged 13 to 19, upon an order from a prosecutor’s office as they returned to Turkey through the Gürbulak border gate in the eastern province of Ağrı on Sept. 12. 

The students were handed over to their families, while a suspect who was the leader of the group, identified only by the initials K.A., has been detained. According to the investigation file, the students made propaganda against Turkey, while further detentions are possible.

The students stayed in Iran for 20 days and were accommodated at university madrasahs, including sacred Shiite venues. They also met with the country’s religious leaders and were given political and religious courses. The group also visited the house of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

K.A. said the trip was organized by the Istanbul branch of Iran’s Camia-tul Mustafa University, but the university has denied any involvement in the study trip.