Turkish authorities arrest six for allegedly spying on Uyghurs for China

Turkish officials have arrested six individuals on suspicion of spying on Uyghurs in Turkey for China’s intelligence agency, with another suspect currently being pursued by the police, Anadolu news agency reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, prosecutors in Istanbul have identified seven individuals believed to be collecting information on prominent members of the Uyghur community and affiliated organizations in Turkey, although further details were not provided.

It is estimated that around 50,000 Uyghurs reside in Turkey, representing the largest Uyghur diaspora outside of Central Asia. The Uyghurs share close ethnic, religious, and linguistic ties with the Turkish people, as they are predominantly Muslim and speak a Turkic language.

The Chinese government has faced international criticism for its treatment of the Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region. Reports have emerged of mass detentions, forced labor, religious suppression, and human rights abuses against the Uyghur population.