30.03.2026 21:30
It has been revealed that Önder Sığırcıkoğlu, who was identified as conducting espionage activities against Turkey and was arrested after being captured at the Syria-Lebanon border following years of technical and physical surveillance by MIT, was tracked step by step through a wide intelligence network that was established.
Önder Sığırcıkoğlu, who was found to be conducting espionage activities against Turkey, was arrested for the crime of "political and military espionage" in an investigation carried out by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
MIT CAPTURED HIM AT THE LEBANON-SYRIA BORDER
As a result of a joint operation by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the Syrian Intelligence Service, Sığırcıkoğlu, who had been on the run for 12 years, was captured at the Syria-Lebanon border. After being brought to Ankara, Sığırcıkoğlu was taken to the Ankara Courthouse by the teams of the Anti-Terrorism Branch after completing his procedures at the police station. After giving a statement to the prosecutor conducting the investigation, Sığırcıkoğlu was referred to the duty magistrate for arrest and was sent to prison for the crime of "political and military espionage."
TRACKED STEP BY STEP
On the other hand, it has been revealed that MIT created an uninterrupted tracking network without losing the trace of Sığırcıkoğlu, who had been hiding in countries such as Syria, Russia, and Lebanon for many years after his escape from Osmaniye Open Prison in 2014. Findings obtained using physical surveillance, technical listening, cyber tracking, and many elements of intelligence were used in the operation. Photos used to determine the movement profile of Sığırcıkoğlu, who was systematically monitored, and the places he sought refuge were also brought to light.