15.08.2026 10:11
Criminal organization leader Serkan Kurtuluş, for whom a Red Notice was issued on October 31, 2017, was brought to Istanbul via Brazil following his capture in Argentina, despite a lengthy extradition process and obstruction efforts.
Serkan Kurtulus, the leader of a criminal organization for whom a Red Notice was issued on October 31, 2017, was brought to Istanbul today.
NUMEROUS CRIMES FROM MURDER TO ROBBERY
Serkan Kurtulus, who was wanted in Turkey on numerous charges within the scope of organized crimes, including "premeditated murder, intentional killing, establishing an organization to commit crimes, armed robbery by multiple people to benefit a criminal organization, and making threats in a chain-like manner by multiple people using the intimidating power of an existing criminal organization with weapons," was brought to Turkey from Argentina following a multi-year international process coordinated by the INTERPOL-Europol Department.
HOW DID THE PROCESS WORK?
The process followed by Minister of Interior Mustafa Ciftci proceeded as follows:
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, who was sought internationally via INTERPOL channels, was captured in Argentina on June 11, 2020, as a result of the ongoing efforts. Kurtulus applied for asylum in Argentina to prevent his extradition to Turkey. After his request was rejected, the extradition could not be carried out for a long time due to legal processes.
HE EVEN WENT ON A HUNGER STRIKE TO AVOID EXTRADITION
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 a long wait, when news came from the Argentine authorities that Kurtulus's extradition to Turkey was approved, the INTERPOL-Europol Department took action and initiated coordination to bring the individual to Turkey.
THE BRAZIL OBSTACLE WAS OVERCOME
According to the information obtained, this time there was a problem regarding transit passage through Brazil on the route where Kurtulus was to be brought from Argentina to Turkey. Thanks to the close cooperation established by the Interpol-Europol Department with the Brazilian police and its strong international communication network, 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 Counselor's Office, the transit passage problem was resolved, and the continuation of the extradition operation was ensured.
HE EVEN MADE A FALSE BOMB THREAT
Serkan Kurtulus was taken into custody from the Argentine authorities on August 13, 2026. The ringleader Serkan Kurtulus continued his provocations to hinder the extradition process throughout the journey. Kurtulus said, "There is a bomb on the plane."
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. With the efforts of the General Directorate of Security officials, the attempt by the gang leader Kurtulus was prevented.
NO MATTER WHAT HE DID, HE COULDN'T ESCAPE
Following the incident, necessary security procedures were activated, and the problem was overcome with the coordination carried out by the INTERPOL-Europol Department with relevant authorities, and the continuation of the extradition operation was ensured. His asylum application, hunger strike, transit passage problem, and finally the bomb claim could not prevent Kurtulus from being brought to Turkey. Serkan Kurtulus, accompanied by the Turkish team on duty, was brought to Turkey on August 14, 2026, and handed over to police personnel on duty at Istanbul Airport.
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY
In the statement made by the Ministry of Interior regarding the issue, it was stated: "Under the coordination of the General Directorate of Security's Interpol Europol Department, KOM and Intelligence Departments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice; Serkan Kurtulus, the ringleader of the organized crime organization sought with a red notice, was brought to Istanbul Airport via a connecting flight from Brazil after his capture in Argentina. This extradition process, carried out from 13,000 kilometers away to Turkey, is a clear indication of our determination in the fight against crime. We thank our heroic police officers who ensure justice even beyond borders, and all members of our Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs who contributed."