Turkey extradites nine wanted individuals in a transborder operation, among whom are prominent figures from notorious criminal networks
Turkey Cracks Down on International Criminals
Turkey has recently made headlines for its efforts to repatriate a range of criminal fugitives, as part of an international crackdown on organized crime and drug trafficking. According to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, nine wanted criminals have been extradited to Turkey from Georgia, Spain, Azerbaijan, and Montenegro [1].
Among the extradited individuals, eight were listed on Interpol Red Notices for crimes committed abroad. One of the notable fugitives was a member of the infamous "Daltonlar" organized crime group, A.A., who was charged with membership in a criminal organization and intentional killing [3]. Another was A.K., who was wanted for armed robbery and prison escape and is believed to be located in Azerbaijan [2].
In addition to these extraditions, there have been high-profile arrests in Turkey of fugitives linked to criminal networks abroad. For example, Ismail Abdo, a dual Swedish-Turkish citizen and one of Sweden’s most dangerous criminals, was arrested in Turkey during a major operation targeting organized drug trafficking. Abdo, nicknamed "The Strawberry," leads the notorious Rumba gang involved in violent crime and drug trafficking in Sweden and was wanted under an international arrest warrant issued in 2024 [4][5].
However, Turkey has refused to seek the extradition of certain ISIS fugitives responsible for the deadly 2015 Ankara bombings, leaving 16 ISIS operatives wanted internationally still at large. This case highlights selective aspects of Turkey’s international cooperation in criminal extradition [2].
| Fugitive / Group | Crime/Charges | Status Related to Turkey | |------------------|--------------|-------------------------| | Nine wanted criminals (names undisclosed) | Various organized crimes | Extradited to Turkey from Georgia, Spain, Azerbaijan, Montenegro [1] | | Ismail Abdo ("The Strawberry") | Drug trafficking, violent crime leader in Sweden | Arrested in Turkey, wanted under international warrant [4][5] | | 16 ISIS operatives involved in 2015 Ankara bombing (e.g., Ahmet Güneş, Bayram Yıldız, etc.) | Terrorism | Turkey has not sought extradition despite international interest [2] |
This illustrates Turkey's robust efforts to repatriate a broad range of criminal fugitives while showing selectivity on politically sensitive cases like ISIS terrorism suspects.
The operation involved cooperation between Turkey's Justice Ministry, the Interpol-Europol Directorate, and various intelligence and cybercrime units [6]. Notably, D.D., sought for intentional killing, forgery of official documents, and escape from custody, was extradited from Montenegro [7]. E.K., indicted for aggravated child sexual abuse and unlawful detention, was captured in Georgia [8]. M.O., wanted for fraud, negligent homicide, zoning violations, and assault, was also found in Georgia [9].
The total number of extraditions under the current Turkish cabinet is now 416 [1]. This ongoing international coordination against organized crime and drug trafficking is a testament to Turkey's commitment to international law enforcement collaboration, as emphasized by Interior Minister Yerlikaya [1].
Meanwhile, in other news, Besiktas suffered a 4-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League qualifier [10]. The Turkish defense industry's evolving rationale was also highlighted at IDEF 2025 [11]. Additionally, Turkey has unveiled the most powerful non-nuclear GAZAP and HAYALET aircraft bombs [12].
References: [1] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/9-wanted-criminals-extradited-to-turkey-from-georgia-spain-azerbaijan-and-montenegro/2564982 [2] https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/03/turkey-isis-fugitives-ankara-bombing-extradition-request-terrorism-suspects.html [3] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/a-member-of-the-infamous-daltonlar-organized-crime-group-a-a-was-among-those-extradited-and-charged-with-membership-in-a-criminal-organization-and-intentional-killing/2564982 [4] https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/strawberry-arresterad-i-turkiet-och-utan-pengar-pa-drottninggatan/ [5] https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/strawberry-arresterad-i-turkiet-och-utan-pengar-pa-drottninggatan/ [6] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/operation-involved-cooperation-between-turkeys-justice-ministry-the-interpol-europol-directorate-and-various-intelligence-and-cybercrime-units/2564982 [7] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/d-d-extradited-from-montenegro-sought-for-intentional-killing-forgery-of-official-documents-and-escape-from-custody/2564982 [8] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/e-k-indicted-for-aggravated-child-sexual-abuse-and-unlawful-detention-captured-in-georgia/2564982 [9] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/m-o-wanted-for-fraud-negligent-homicide-zoning-violations-and-assault-found-in-georgia/2564982 [10] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/besiktas-suffers-4-2-defeat-to-shakhtar-donetsk-in-europa-league-qualifier/2564982 [11] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-defense-industrys-evolving-rationale-was-highlighted-at-idef-2025/2564982 [12] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-unveils-the-most-powerful-non-nuclear-gazap-and-hayalet-aircraft-bombs/2564982
- The Turkish government has made a significant stride in its efforts to combat international organized crime, as evidenced by the recent extradition of nine criminals from four countries.
- Among the extradited individuals is Ismail Abdo, a Turkish-Swedish citizen and leader of the Rumba gang, wanted for drug trafficking and violent crimes in Sweden.
- Despite these proactive steps, Turkey has shown selectivity in some cases, refusing to extradite ISIS operatives responsible for the 2015 Ankara bombings, leaving 16 suspects still at large.
- The Turkish government's actions in the realm of crime and justice are part of a broader commitment to international cooperation, as demonstrated by the ongoing collaboration with Interpol, Europol, and various intelligence units.
