23.05.2026 15:50
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that the extradition process to Turkey has been initiated for fugitive suspect Umut Altaş, who was subject to a red notice and detained in the USA yesterday in connection with the Gülistan Doku investigation, and that all necessary diplomatic and legal mechanisms have been activated to ensure he is held accountable before justice.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, in a statement on his social media account, said, "The determined struggle we have waged for the delivery of justice in the Gülistan Doku case has today reached a significant milestone on an international scale. The fugitive suspect Umut Altaş, for whom a red notice was issued on April 21, 2026, has been taken into custody in the United States as a result of a multi-layered and meticulous cooperation conducted with security units of friendly and allied countries, especially Interpol. The process of extraditing the suspect to our country has been initiated immediately, and all necessary diplomatic and legal mechanisms have been activated to ensure he faces justice. The red notice and provisional arrest request prepared for the suspect have been transmitted to relevant international authorities without delay, and all technical data obtained during the process and information that may contribute to the investigation have been shared instantly with the authorities of the relevant country. Through simultaneous coordination with INTERPOL, the FBI, and the US Homeland Security Investigations unit, the fugitive's area of movement was gradually narrowed down, his presence in the New York region was identified, and the detention process was quickly concluded."
The moment Umut Altaş was detained in New York "INFORMATION HAS BEEN SHARED REGULARLY" Minister Çiftçi said regarding the process of Altaş's capture, "Within the scope of international coordination carried out since April 21, 2026, continuous contact was established with the US INTERPOL unit, FBI liaison officers, and relevant security authorities, and information obtained regarding the fugitive suspect was shared regularly. As part of ongoing efforts, interviews given by the suspect to some media outlets and images identified in open sources were also shared with the relevant units, and as a result of the maintained coordination, Umut Altaş was taken into custody in the United States. In line with this development, extradition procedures have been accelerated again. This development is not only an operational success but also a concrete indicator of our state's global capacity, technological competence, and institutional determination in the fight against crime and criminals. Thanks to the advanced technical capabilities of our General Directorate of Security and General Command of Gendarmerie, next-generation criminal analysis systems, narrowed base station studies, digital data examination methods, and international intelligence coordination, no criminal will be able to escape justice by relying on the passage of time or national borders. Through open-source research, digital tracking activities, social media analyses, financial movement examinations, and international data sharing mechanisms conducted by our security units, the traces of the fugitive suspect have been meticulously followed. Every piece of data that could contribute to the investigation has been carefully evaluated, and all elements from social media posts to field information have been analyzed in coordination with judicial processes," he said.
"EXTRADITION OF 329 FUGITIVES ENSURED IN 5 MONTHS" Minister Çiftçi, stating that between January 1 and May 22, the extradition of 329 fugitive criminals from abroad to Turkey was ensured, said, "This situation clearly reveals that no place in the world is a safe haven for criminals. This process has once again demonstrated that the Republic of Turkey has a high coordination capability in the fight against crime and criminals, not only within its own borders but also internationally. We will not tolerate any structure, negligence, or silence that fosters a sense of impunity. We will not allow any case that deeply wounds the public conscience to remain in the dark. Our state's memory is strong, and its will for justice is unshakeable. Wherever a criminal may be, no matter which country they hide in, our state's pursuit will continue to be on their trail. All our citizens, especially the family of Gülistan Doku, who have been waiting for justice for years, should know that no mother's tears, no father's silent wait will be lost in time. The material truth will inevitably be revealed sooner or later, and the necessary account will be demanded before the law. The Republic of Turkey will never give up its will to protect its citizens' rights and law," he evaluated.