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Türkiye secures extradition of 197 suspects from 31 countries in first half of 2026

File photo shows a suspect in handcuffs, escorted by Turkish police officers, accessed on July 1, 2027. (AA Photo)
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File photo shows a suspect in handcuffs, escorted by Turkish police officers, accessed on July 1, 2027. (AA Photo)
July 01, 2026 10:54 AM GMT+03:00

Türkiye secured the extradition of 197 suspects from 31 countries in the first six months of 2026, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said.

Gurlek said the extraditions were carried out in cases involving ordinary crimes and terrorism offenses.

In a statement on his X account, Gurlek said those who commit crimes and believe they can escape justice would not feel safe, no matter where they hide.

He said the Justice Ministry would monitor extradition processes involving suspects who flee abroad "much more closely, uncompromisingly and moment by moment."

Most extraditions came from Georgia, Germany

"As a result of this determination, in the first half of 2026, in line with our requests within the scope of ordinary crimes and terrorism offenses, 197 individuals were extradited to our country from 31 different countries, and these people were handed over to justice," Gurlek said.

Of those extradited, 85 were brought to Türkiye from Georgia, 52 from Germany, nine from Greece, eight from Montenegro, six from Bulgaria, three from the Netherlands and three from Kyrgyzstan.

Two suspects each were extradited from Croatia, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Italy, Kazakhstan, North Macedonia and Poland.

One suspect each was extradited from Argentina, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, France, Colombia, Kosovo, Hungary, Moldova, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

File photo shows police officers escorting suspects during an operation in Türkiye. (AA Photo)
File photo shows police officers escorting suspects during an operation in Türkiye. (AA Photo)

Justice minister says reciprocity will be considered

Gurlek said Türkiye would take into account how other countries respond to its extradition requests when assessing extradition requests submitted to Türkiye.

"I would like to state clearly here that in our assessments regarding countries that request extradition from Türkiye, we will take into account their responses to our rightful extradition requests," he said.

He added that Turkish authorities would carefully examine whether cooperation is shown on extraditions and whether the principles of legal assistance and reciprocity are respected.

'There is no place for criminals to flee'

"Our beloved nation should rest assured. No matter which criminal organization they belong to, no matter which country they flee to, we will not stop pursuing terrorists, members of organized crime groups, fraudsters and criminal networks that target the peace of our nation," Gurlek said.

He said the process carried out by the Justice Ministry, in close coordination with the Interior and Foreign ministries, demonstrated Türkiye's institutional capacity, diplomatic effectiveness and strong will in the fight against crime.

"There is no place for criminals to flee. Turkish justice will do what is necessary sooner or later," Gurlek said.

He thanked the authorities of countries that contributed to the extradition processes, as well as Türkiye's Interior and Foreign ministries.

"Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we will continue on our path with uncompromising determination by strengthening our coordination and cooperation at the national and international levels in the fight against crime," he said.

July 01, 2026 11:02 AM GMT+03:00
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