Special to WorldTribune.com
Russia says it has proof that Turkish President Recep Tayyip and his family “are involved” in the smuggling of oil from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) territory.
The Russian Defense Ministry on Dec. 2 displayed what it said were satellite images showing columns of oil tankers filling up at installations controlled by ISIL in Syria and Iraq, and then crossing the border into Turkey.
Related: Putin charges Turkey’s Erdogan facilitating ISIL’s oil trade, Dec. 1, 2015
“Turkey is the main consumer of the oil stolen from its rightful owners, Syria and Iraq,” said Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov. “According to information we’ve received, the senior political leadership of the country — President Erdogan and his family — are involved in this criminal business.
“Maybe I’m being too blunt, but one can only entrust control over this thieving business to one’s closest associates.”
The ministry did not specify what the direct evidence was of the involvement of Erdogan and his family. Erdogan has vehemently denied the accusations, insisting Turkey only procures oil from legitimate sources.
Antonov went on to say that “in the West, no one has asked questions about the fact that the Turkish president’s son heads one of the biggest energy companies, or that his son has been appointed energy minister. What a marvelous family business.
“The cynicism of the Turkish leadership knows no limits. Look what they’re doing. They went into someone else’s country, they are robbing it without compunction.”
Russia on Dec. 2 also said the same criminal networks smuggling oil from ISIL territory into Turkey were also shipping weapons and equipment to ISIL and were helping to train the group’s jihadists.
Russia displays satellite images of tanker trucks entering Turkey added by World Tribune on
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