Turkey announces arrest of US diplomat for allegedly selling fake passport

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish authorities have arrested an American diplomat working for the US Consulate in Lebanon for allegedly providing a fake passport to a Syrian man, Turkey’s state-run news agency reports.

The Anadolu Agency says the suspect, identified by his initials D.J.K., was detained at Istanbul Airport on November 11, and was later formally arrested on suspicion of selling the forged passport for $10,000.

Anadolu says the Syrian was detained for questioning after he attempted to travel to Germany on the false passport, which was in D.J.K.’s name.

Police later determined through an examination of security camera footage, that D.J.K. gave him the passport at the airport and the two also exchanged clothes. Police also seized an envelope containing $10,000 from the diplomat, the report said.

The American was jailed while the Syrian was released pending possible proceedings for falsifying documents, Anadolu reported.

The US Embassy in Ankara wouldn’t comment on the report. The US Embassy in Beirut doesn’t respond to a request for comment.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.