REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

MINISTER GÜRLEK: THE EXTRADITION OF 76 OFFENDERS WAS COMPLETED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2026

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that in the first quarter of 2026, the extradition to Türkiye of 76 offenders, sought under Red Notices, was carried out from 18 different countries. He stated as follows: "The total number of extradition requests of Türkiye, accepted by foreign countries in respect of ordinary offences and terrorist offences, amounted to 76."

Minister Gürlek shared updated data on the Red Notice practice, conducted by the Ministry of Justice in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via his social media account. He emphasized that within this framework, 76 individuals involved in various offences in Türkiye were extradited during the first quarter of 2026.

He specified that 35 extraditions were carried out from Georgia, 19 from Germany, 5 from Montenegro, 2 from Iraq, 2 from Greece, and one each from Argentina, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Armenia, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Minister Gürlek’s message continued as follows:

“In the first quarter of 2026, the total number of extradition requests, accepted by foreign countries in respect of ordinary offences and terrorist offences, amounted to 76.

Of these extraditions, 35 were carried out from Georgia, 19 from Germany, 5 from Montenegro, 2 from Iraq, and 2 from Greece. In addition, one offender was extradited from each of the following countries: Argentina, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Armenia, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, Colombia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

This process, conducted by our Ministry of Justice and coordinated with our Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, clearly demonstrates Türkiye’s institutional capacity and determination

I extend my gratitude to the authorities of the afore-mentioned countries for their cooperation in combating crime. I also express my appreciation to our Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their close coordination and contributions.

Under the leadership of our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we will resolutely continue to strengthen our cooperation at both national and international levels in the fight against crime.”

THE PROCESS IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE COORDINATION OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Within the international conventions on extradition, the Ministries of Justice are generally designated as the central authority. In Türkiye, however, this function is carried out by the Directorate General for Foreign Relations and European Union Affairs within the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice ensures, on the one hand, that the extradition proceedings progress effectively between judicial and administrative authorities, and on the other hand, that the process is monitored for compliance with national and international law.

The Red Notice procedure commences, when the security units apply to the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices. The file prepared by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is then transmitted to the Ministry of Justice, after which the issuance of a Red Notice through Interpol is facilitated via the Turkish National Police Organization.

Following the apprehension of the individuals, the extradition requests prepared by the relevant Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices or the courts are transmitted to the Ministry of Justice. After the legal review conducted within the Ministry and the rectification of any deficiencies, the extradition requests are conveyed to the respective foreign country through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The process is simultaneously carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry of Interior ensures the publication of Red Notices through Interpol and oversees the procedures for apprehending wanted persons and transferring those, whose extradition has been ordered to Türkiye. This process, conducted under the coordination of the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Interior, demonstrates Türkiye’s institutional capacity in the fight against international crime.