Austria is preparing to press charges against a man who confessed to spying for the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, Reuters reported referring to Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer.

This is an attempt to influence Austria by a foreign power, and this will in no way be accepted, Nehammer told a briefing.

The man admitted that he was recruited by the Turkish secret service to spy on other Turkish citizens or Austrian citizens who emigrated from Turkey to then report them to Turkish security authorities, Nehammer said.

Over 30 Austrians were detained in Turkey between 2018 and 2020 after entering the country, he said, and the authorities have reason to believe that the Turkish special services were trying to recruit them.

“Turkish espionage has no place in Austria. There is no place for Turkish influence on liberty and fundamental rights in Austria. We will fight against it vehemently,” Nehammer said, adding that Europol and the Presidency of the European Council had been informed.

The Austrian minister also said that Europol and the European Council had been informed about this.