Attorney general of the UAE Hamad Saif Mohammed Al Shamsi held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart after Istanbul prosecutors tweeted about a spy ring, Shamsi's office said on November 27.

On November 25, the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office (@istanbulCBS), which has conducted many operations with a social media or other media side since February, wrote on X that four suspects were arrested for operating a spy ring on behalf of the UAE.

Hours later, the office deleted the tweet and, a little later, substituted in a tweet that confirmed suspects were arrested under a move against a spy ring but did not mention any countries.

On November 27, subsequent to Shamsi’s call, Turkey’s justice minister Yilmaz Tunc (@yilmaztunc) wrote on X that no UAE citizens were arrested.

“Allegations circulated by media outlets”

During the call, general prosecutor of Turkey Muhsin Senturk expressed Turkey’s readiness to strengthen judicial cooperation and enhance channels of mutual communication with the UAE, Shamsi’s office said.

Senturk also made an official rejection of “allegations being circulated by some media outlets” about UAE espionage activities in Istanbul.

General prosecutor refutes what emerged from Istanbul chief public prosecutors’ office

Following contact with the “competent” Turkish authorities, including the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office, Senturk affirmed that the allegations in question were categorically false.

According to Senturk, Istanbul prosecutors stated that there were no unlawful activities or instances of suspicious conduct that could be related to the UAE or any of its citizens.

Senturk also said that he personally visited the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office and met with the Istanbul deputy chief public prosecutor along with other public security authorities to promptly review “the information in circulation”.

Security officials were said to have confirmed that no suspicious behaviour involving UAE citizens was observed.

Order goes out to remove content

Senturk added that he ordered relevant authorities to remove allegations made against the UAE in “the content published in media outlets and on social media platforms” following his verification that the material in circulation was inaccurate.

In the changed context, Shamsi commended the statement issued by the Turkish justice ministry on the ongoing investigations in Istanbul. 

He also noted that the ministry’s statement aligned with the discussions held during his telephone call with Senturk and said that it demonstrated the commitment of Turkish authorities to the clarification of the facts as well as prevention when it comes to the spreading of rumours.