15.08.2026 00:11
Serkan Kurtuluş, wanted through a red notice on numerous serious charges including murder, forming a criminal organization, armed robbery, and threats in Türkiye, was brought from Argentina to Türkiye after an extradition process lasting about 6 years. Meanwhile, the Argentine Federal Penitentiary Service shared footage of the moment he was taken out of prison for his extradition to Türkiye. The intense security measures taken during his release drew attention.
Argentine authorities shared footage related to the extradition process of organized crime leader Serkan Kurtulus to Türkiye.
INTENSE SECURITY MEASURES DREW ATTENTION In a post made on the social media account of the Argentine Federal Penitentiary Service, moments were shown of Kurtulus being checked in prison accompanied by police under intense security measures. After being passed through an X-ray device, Kurtulus was placed in a police vehicle and then taken out of the facility in a convoy escorted by motorcycle police and an armored vehicle.
BROUGHT TO TÜRKİYE AFTER A 6-YEAR EXTRADITION PROCESS On the other hand, Serkan Kurtulus was brought to Türkiye from Argentina after an extradition process lasting approximately 6 years. The extradition process, which was meticulously followed by Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi despite his busy agenda and concluded with the coordination of relevant institutions, was completed. Kurtulus's attempts to prevent his extradition also proved unsuccessful.
The international process regarding Serkan Kurtulus began with the issuance of a Red Notice on October 31, 2017, as a result of the work carried out by the Interpol-Europol Department. Kurtulus, sought internationally through INTERPOL channels, was caught in Argentina on June 11, 2020, following the conducted efforts, but the arrest marked the beginning of an extradition process that would last for years.
HE TRIED EVERY MEANS TO AVOID EXTRADITION Kurtulus filed for asylum in Argentina to prevent his extradition to Türkiye. After his request was rejected, the extradition could not be carried out for a long time due to legal processes. Kurtulus, who also resorted to a hunger strike during his time in prison, had his extradition process closely monitored by the Interpol-Europol Department for years. After the long wait, upon receiving the news from Argentine authorities approving Kurtulus's extradition to Türkiye, the INTERPOL-Europol Department took action and initiated international coordination to bring Kurtulus to Türkiye.
BRAZIL OBSTACLE OVERCOME WITH THE JOINT WORK OF INSTITUTIONS A problem arose regarding the transit passage through Brazil on the route Kurtulus was to be brought from Argentina to Türkiye. Thanks to the close cooperation established by the Interpol-Europol Department with the Brazilian police and a strong international communication network, the transit passage issue was resolved with the support of the Brazilian Interpol unit and the intensive contributions of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Brazilian Embassy, and the Brazilian Interior Advisorate, ensuring the continuation of the extradition operation. Serkan Kurtulus was taken into custody on August 13, 2026, by a Turkish team consisting of a branch manager from the General Directorate of Security Interpol Department assigned by Argentine authorities, a commissioner and a police officer from Interpol, and a doctor assigned by the Ministry of Health. Gang leader Serkan Kurtulus continued his provocations aimed at obstructing the extradition process throughout the journey.
HE SAID 'THERE IS A BOMB ON THE PLANE' IN BRAZIL While the plane was waiting in Brazil, Kurtulus shouted in Spanish that there was a bomb on the plane, trying to have the plane evacuated for a bomb search. The initiatives of the General Directorate of Security officials thwarted gang leader Kurtulus's efforts. Following the incident, the necessary security procedures were activated, and the problem was overcome with the coordination conducted by the INTERPOL-Europol Department with relevant authorities, allowing the extradition operation to continue.
THE END OF THE ESCAPE WAS TÜRKİYE Serkan Kurtulus, accompanied by the assigned Turkish team, was brought to Türkiye on August 14, 2026, and handed over to the security personnel on duty at Istanbul Airport.