Turkey claims spy for UAE committed suicide in prison, family suspects foul play

A man held by Turkey on suspicion of spying for the United Arab Emirates has died in prison, with Istanbul’s prosecutor’s office stating that he allegedly hung himself.

But, in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya, the Palestinian man’s family members rejected the Turkish authorities’ statement, calling it “a mere charade,” and accusing Turkey of killing him.

Yusuf Zaki, the son of the deceased Palestinian man, called on an international commission to investigate his father’s death.

“I call for the formation of a medical committee, which includes an honest Palestinian doctor, to dissect the body of my father and to tell the truth,” Zaki said during an interview with Al Arabiya.

He also questioned the Turkish story, asserting that his father did not commit suicide, and accusing Turkish security forces of killing him.

“My father traveled to Turkey to make a living, to build us a future. We were surprised by his arrest since April 4, and we were more shocked by the false accusations against him,” Yusuf added.

He stated that his father was a victim and “a scapegoat in a political conflict.”