Turkey using NGOs to infiltrate Austrian society

Turkey uses its civil society organizations in infiltrating European societies, especially Austria where the authorities are realizing the full extent of intelligence activities by Ankara.

Austrian authorities are also realizing that these activities are turning into a threat to national security and social peace.

Dubious strategy

Turkey is following a dubious strategy that mimics the strategies of both Iran and Qatar in Europe.

This strategy is based on the use of tools that on the surface have no links with the Turkish government, but in essence are operated by the government with the aim of advancing the Turkish agenda in Europe, in general, and in Austria, in particular.

Turkish institutions are becoming a source of tension in Austria, especially after the troubles pro-Turkey forces caused on the streets of Vienna.

Documentation

According to the London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper on October 13, a man had conceded to Austrian police that he had been working as a spy for the Turkish intelligence.

The same man asked Austrian authorities to protect him after he turned down requests for additional work by the Turkish intelligence.

He said the Turkish intelligence had asked him to assassinate a Kurdish politician living in Austria.

This incident is refueling political tensions between Ankara and Vienna.

Arms

Nordic Monitor site, which specializes in Turkish affairs, revealed recently that one of the Turkish agencies operating in Austria under the cloak of offering social and cultural services is originally an arm of the Turkish intelligence, even part of the intelligence.

The site said the agency trains mosque imams who travel to Turkey after graduation only to find work very easily.