01.07.2026 09:41
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that in the first half of 2026, a total of 197 criminals from 31 different countries were brought to Turkey in line with Turkey's extradition requests. While most extraditions occurred from Georgia and Germany, Gürlek stated that fugitives abroad will be pursued relentlessly, adding, 'There is no place for criminals to hide. Turkish justice will do what is necessary sooner or later.'
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that a total of 197 criminals from 31 different countries were extradited to Turkey in the first six months of 2026. Stating that extradition processes will continue without compromise, Gürlek said, "Those who think they can escape justice by committing crimes will not feel safe no matter where in the world they hide."
It was announced that in the first half of 2026, a total of 197 individuals from 31 different countries were brought to Turkey in line with Turkey's extradition requests. The statement noted that the extradited individuals were sought for judicial crimes and terrorist offenses, and they were handed over to the relevant judicial authorities.
MOST EXTRADITIONS FROM GEORGIA AND GERMANY
According to the information provided, of the 197 extradited individuals, 85 were brought to Turkey from Georgia, 52 from Germany, 9 from Greece, 8 from Montenegro, 6 from Bulgaria, 3 from the Netherlands, and 3 from Kyrgyzstan.
Additionally, two individuals each were extradited from Croatia, Iraq, the United Kingdom, Italy, Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, and Poland; and one individual each from Argentina, Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, France, Colombia, Kosovo, Hungary, Moldova, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.
"NO PLACE TO HIDE FOR CRIMINALS"
The statement emphasized that Turkey's approach to extradition requests will be evaluated within the framework of cooperation and the principle of reciprocity shown by other countries to Turkey's legitimate extradition demands.
It was stated that members of criminal organizations, terrorists, fraudsters, and individuals threatening public order will be pursued no matter which country they flee to, with the message: "There is no place to hide for criminals. Turkish justice will do what is necessary sooner or later."
The statement also noted that extradition processes are conducted under the coordination of the Ministry of Justice, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and thanked the countries that contributed to the process.