Recent rulings by courts in Germany and Austria have once again shed light on the alarming scope of espionage activities carried out by Ankara-linked institutions against dissidents in Europe. In Cologne, two separate asylum decisions highlighted Turkey’s systematic human rights violations and the transnational surveillance of critics abroad. Likewise, in Austria, a court ruling explicitly referred to institutions such as YTB, TIKA, Diyanet, UID, and SETA as being directly involved in monitoring and profiling dissidents and forwarding information to Turkish intelligence services . turkishminute
As Human Rights Defenders e.V. (HRD), we have consistently raised these issues for years. Through our detailed reports and persistent advocacy, we have documented how Turkish state-linked networks engage in unlawful surveillance, intimidate critics, and violate the basic rights of individuals residing in Europe. These new court decisions confirm the findings we have long presented to European institutions and policymakers, showing that our relentless efforts have contributed to greater recognition of this problem.
HRD President Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir underlined this point in his statement:
“For years we have been warning European decision-makers about Ankara’s use of state-linked organizations to conduct espionage operations abroad. Seeing these concerns now acknowledged in official German and Austrian court rulings is a significant development. These structures do not only target members of the Gülen movement but also Kurdish activists, democrats, journalists, and all critical voices. Their aim is to intimidate, to silence, and ultimately to pave the way for persecution in Turkey. HRD will continue to pursue these unlawful structures and will never compromise on defending human rights and democracy.”
These rulings make it clear that dissidents in Europe remain under serious threat despite living in democratic countries. The Turkish government exploits religious, cultural, and civil society organizations abroad to track, intimidate, and punish opponents. Such practices represent a direct attack on the values of democracy, human dignity, and freedom of expression.
HRD reiterates its determination to expose these violations and ensure accountability. We will continue to expand our documentation, to share victims’ testimonies, and to bring evidence-based reports to international institutions such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations. Our mission remains the same: to give a voice to the silenced, to defend the rule of law, and to strengthen democratic values across Europe.
We therefore call on European institutions and governments to take stronger measures. Ankara-linked organizations that act as extensions of state repression should be subject to transparent scrutiny, their covert operations should be limited, and effective protection mechanisms for victims must be implemented. Remaining silent in the face of such violations means becoming complicit in them.
The message of HRD is clear: our struggle will continue against any structure that violates human rights, engages in espionage abroad, and seeks to suppress free societies. These recent rulings are not the end of the road, but rather a beginning. We will stand firm, side by side with victims, and continue to defend democracy and human rights without hesitation.
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