Tensions between Russia and Turkey reached crisis mode last week when Turkey downed a Russian jet after it reportedly ignored several warnings. The incident seems to have given Russia the opportunity to step up its allegations against Turkey in regards to global terrorism. On Wednesday, Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov accused Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan of benefiting from the Islamic State’s illegal oil trade.
"Turkey is the main consumer of the oil stolen from its rightful owners, Syria and Iraq. According to information we've received, the senior political leadership of the country - President Erdogan and his family - are involved in this criminal business," said Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov.
Antonov continued:
"Maybe I'm being too blunt, but one can only entrust control over this thieving business to one's closest associates."
"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-in-law has been appointed energy minister. What a marvelous family business!"
Antonov is pretty confident in his allegation, yet, Reuters points out, Russia has no direct evidence to prove this claim, only satellite images which officials say show Islamic State oil tankers crossing into Turkey.
Reuters has a detailed explanation of what Russia’s defense ministry says are the smuggling routes Turkey uses to acquire the stolen oil, as well as supply weapons to the terror network.
More evidence, Russia insists, will come to light in the following weeks.