Germany detains two Turkish nationals suspected of sabotage against Starlink in Poland

Germany has detained two Turkish nationals whom Polish law enforcement agencies suspect of involvement in sabotage against Starlink ground infrastructure. This was reported by the German publication Der Spiegel, citing sources in several countries familiar with the investigation.

Link to Turkish mafia

According to the information obtained, the Turkish criminal group "Daltons" may be involved in the arson at Starlink facilities in Poland, which occurred on the evening of 23 September. The publication's sources claim that members of this organisation may have carried out a targeted sabotage operation on the orders of Russian intelligence services.

As noted by Spiegel sources in several security agencies, the detained men may belong to the "Daltons" structure or be acting on their instructions.

Details of the detention

On 12 October, based on European arrest warrants sent at Poland's request, two individuals were detained in Germany: 38-year-old Yumit E. and 34-year-old Muslum T. Polish law enforcement officials charge them with participation in the sabotage of Starlink infrastructure. The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court is expected to make a decision on their extradition to Poland in the near future.

About the "Daltons" group

The "Daltons" are considered one of the most influential organised criminal groups in Europe. Their members have been operating for many years not only in Turkey but also in Germany and other European countries, engaging in, among other things, extortion, arms trafficking, and contract killings.

In 2024, the probable leader of the group, Beratcan Gokdemir, was arrested in Russia. Although Turkey demanded his extradition, according to German law enforcement agencies, Russia released Gokdemir and even provided him with protection. It is unknown whether Gokdemir is still in Russia.

Change in Russian intelligence strategy

The publication notes that the German federal government and representatives of security agencies warned several months ago about the possible involvement of organised criminal groups by Russia to carry out sabotage. In May, the Ministry of the Interior, in response to a query from the "Greens" party, stated that "cooperation between Russian structures and representatives of organised crime" could be particularly effective for actions such as "sabotage or elimination operations".

Previously, Russian intelligence services, in addition to regular agents, recruited so-called one-time agents for sabotage in Germany and other European countries — petty criminals who carried out minor tasks for small amounts of money, without knowing the clients, the scale, or the true objectives of the operations.

Der Spiegel adds that if the information about the involvement of "Daltons" members in the sabotage at the Starlink terminal in Poland is confirmed, it will indicate a change in the strategy of Russian intelligence services.