Ankara condemns arrest of Turkish consulate secretary that spied on Greek military

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned Greece on Friday for arresting a secretary from the Turkish Consulate in Rhodes who was caught spying on the Greek military.

In a statement, the ministry claimed that the detention of Greek Muslim Sebahattin Bayram from Thrace is a violation of human rights and international law.

As per usual, Ankara made disingenuous claims about treaties and international law, this time claiming the provisions of Vienna Convention on Consular Relations was violated, even though Bayram as a secretary does not enjoy immunity under the Convention.

Turkish outlet Hürriyet claimed that "Greek media coverage on the case, which violates the basic principle of presumption of innocence, is also concerning as they have reportedly made Turkey’s diplomatic representations and their workers a target."

Of course though, Hürriyet did not cite any such examples of Turkish diplomatic staff becoming targets.

On Saturday night, it became known that two Greek Muslims, in which Bayram was one, were spying on the Greek military.

Investigations are in full swing, with the Turkish Consulate in Rhodes even demanding that mobile phones and computers that were confiscated be returned.

It is recalled that the accused are a 56-year-old ship cook, and Bayram, the 35-year-old secretary for the Turkish Consulate in Rhodes.

The cook has been under surveillance since last August as he photographed military positions and facilities in Kastelorizo ​​and collaborated with the secretary of the Turkish consulate.

A case was filed against both of them for violating article 148 of the Penal Code. (espionage) and A.N. 376/1936 (on security measures of military positions).

The 56-year-old confessed everything to the Police and said that he did not do it for the money but "to help his country" - Turkey.

It has also been revealed that the secretary maintained a Facebook profile that promoted “independent Western Thrace”, posted nationalist Turkish symbols, and clearly stated his anti-Greek views.

According to his profile, he had studied mathematics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, was born in the village of Sostis Rodopis and lived permanently in Rhodes.