15.08.2026 21:40
Organized crime boss Serkan Kurtulus, who was caught in Argentina while being sought with a red notice and extradited to Turkey, was arrested by Izmir 3rd Heavy Penal Court. Kurtulus is being tried for 33 crimes and had requested release, stating he had been detained abroad for 7 years; the court ruled for arrest considering the suspicion of flight and evidence of crimes.
Kurtuluş, who was wanted via a red notice for 33 crimes committed in Turkey, including "premeditated murder," "intentional killing," "forming an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "threat," "aggravated robbery," "unauthorized possession or exchange of dangerous materials," "membership in an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes," and "armed robbery," was apprehended in Argentina in 2020 and brought to Istanbul after extradition procedures.
SENT TO PRISON
His first statement was taken via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) within the scope of the indictment prepared in 2017 by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and accepted by the İzmir 3rd Heavy Penal Court.
Serkan Kurtuluş claimed that he had been living abroad for about 10 years, had been detained for 6 years and 2 months in Argentina and 8 months in Georgia regarding the current case, and that he had no knowledge of the charges or the subject of the case.
Arguing that, according to Turkish criminal law, the detention period cannot exceed 5 years, Kurtuluş said, "I have been detained abroad for a total of 7 years within the scope of this file in the countries I just mentioned. Considering my detention period as well, I request that I be tried without detention."
The public prosecutor requested that the defendant be arrested due to the existing evidence, the charges against him, and the suspicion of flight.
The court panel also decided to arrest him, taking into account that the defendant had been a fugitive since the investigation stage and that there were strong indications that he had committed the crime.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Serkan Kurtuluş, who was wanted with a red notice for numerous crimes committed in Turkey, including "premeditated murder," "intentional killing," "forming an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "threat," and "armed robbery," was apprehended in Argentina in 2020. His extradition process concluded, and he was taken into custody from Argentine authorities and brought to Turkey on Turkish Airlines flight TK16, which departed from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, and stopped in Sao Paulo, Brazil, accompanied by a Turkish team.
Kurtuluş was handed over to police personnel on duty at Istanbul Airport by the accompanying team and taken to the Istanbul Airport Police Department. After his procedures there were completed, he was taken to the Istanbul Police Department.
Meanwhile, when the plane was waiting in Brazil, the crime organization leader, who was taken into custody from Argentine authorities by the Turkish team, shouted in Spanish that there was a bomb on the plane. Kurtuluş's efforts to ensure the plane was evacuated were unsuccessful, and the extradition process continued after necessary security measures were taken.
HAD SOUGHT ASYLUM IN ARGENTINA
The international process regarding Kurtuluş, which was also followed by Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi, began with the issuance of a red notice on October 31, 2017, as a result of the efforts of the Interpol Europol Department. Following these efforts, it was learned that Kurtuluş, who was wanted internationally through Interpol, was apprehended in Argentina on June 11, 2020.
Kurtuluş, who sought asylum in Argentina to prevent his extradition to Turkey, could not be extradited for a long time due to legal processes after his request was rejected.
Kurtuluş, who also went on a hunger strike during his time in prison, had his extradition to Turkey approved by Argentine authorities, after which the Interpol Europol Department took action and international coordination was initiated to bring Kurtuluş to Turkey.
In the statement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was stated that as a result of efforts coordinated by the General Directorate of Security Interpol Europol Department, KOM (Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime), Intelligence Departments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice, the organized crime organization leader Kurtuluş, who was wanted internationally with a red notice, was apprehended in Argentina and extradited to Turkey.
In the statement, it was expressed that Kurtuluş was sought for the crimes of "premeditated murder," "intentional killing," "forming an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "armed robbery by more than one person to benefit the criminal organization," and "sequential threats by more than one person using weapons, exploiting the intimidating power of the existing criminal organization."