Seven people, including former customs officials, have been arrested in Turkey on charges of military and commercial espionage after classified defense industry data — including information on leading contractor ASELSAN — was allegedly stolen from the Ministry of Trade’s servers and sold online, the pro-government Sabah daily reported on Tuesday.
The arrests, which have just become public, came after a large-scale investigation led by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office’s Terrorism Crimes Bureau. The stolen files contained both commercial trade data and information related to national security that could be exploited by terrorist groups or foreign intelligence services, according to the report.
ASELSAN, one of Turkey’s top defense contractors and a supplier for several NATO allies, is central to Ankara’s military modernization program. The breach is feared to have international implications, raising questions about cybersecurity within Turkey’s defense sector.
Investigators found that specifications for several ASELSAN products, including grenade launchers and infantry rifles, were transferred to data storage companies in East Asia. The leaked information included details on quantities, weights and product types, which normally require Defense Ministry approval for trade. Authorities said the data was marketed through Telegram groups and other platforms.
The probe was triggered by complaints from the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) and ASELSAN. Ministry inspectors confirmed that the data had been taken from proprietary platforms used by the Ministry of Trade.
Officials said a breakthrough came when customs enforcement officers infiltrated a Telegram group called “Disticaretistihbarati” (“Foreign Trade Intelligence”), which had been used to sell sensitive data between 2023 and 2025.
Ten suspects were initially detained in June, including four customs employees and the owner of a consulting firm. Seven were arrested on charges of disclosing information affecting the state’s security and political interests. Three others were released under judicial supervision.
Investigators also tracked financial transactions. Prosecutors said one suspect received about 65,000 lira ($1,500) from an import-export manager, who then paid $7,000 to a foreign-based company for access to the leaked files.
The arrestees include customs employees Ali Asıl and Aslan Korkmaz, along with DAC Consulting owner Çağatay Ekinci. The case is expected to increase pressure on Ankara to strengthen cybersecurity in the defense industry and could affect Turkey’s defense cooperation with NATO partners. The investigation is ongoing.
In a relevant development earlier this month, an İstanbul court ordered the arrest of the owner of Ankara-based defense contractor Assan Group as well as the company’s general manager in a case prosecutors describe as an “espionage” investigation tied to state security documents.
Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was appointed as a trustee for over 10 companies operating under the Assan Group umbrella.