Fugitive extraditions increased in Türkiye's international operations
There was a record increase in the capture and extradition of internationally wanted persons to Türkiye upon the instructions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Quick Look
- On the instructions of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mustafa Çiftçi, traffic accelerated in the extradition of internationally wanted persons.
- While 657 people were extradited to Türkiye in the first 8 months of 2026, 409 people wanted by 53 countries were caught in Türkiye.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has increased diplomatic contacts to capture and extradite fugitives wanted internationally.
With the instructions of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mustafa Çiftçi, traffic in the capture of internationally wanted persons and their extradition to Turkey has accelerated. Diplomatic contacts and security cooperation, especially with Georgia, Bulgaria and Greece, were also reflected in the figures.
162 OF THE SUSPECTS ARE LEADERS OR MEMBERS OF ORGANIZATION
The average of those returned to Turkey from abroad between January and August 2021 and 2025 was 107. In the same period of 2026, this number increased to 657. It was determined that 162 of the 657 people brought to Turkey were leaders or members of an organized crime group.
409 PEOPLE WANTED BY 53 COUNTRIES WERE CAUGHT IN Türkiye
It's not just the fugitives abroad. Operations against foreign criminals hiding in Turkey also continue. In operations against suspects sought by foreign countries with a red notice or diffusion decision, 409 people wanted by 53 countries in the first 8 months of 2026 were caught in Turkey. It was determined that 90 of these people were leaders or members of an organized crime group. The suspects were sent to the relevant countries.
THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 3 THOUSAND 852 PEOPLE WANTED AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
Studies are continuing at the international level for the fugitives sought by Turkey. In the first 8 months of 2026, a red notice or diffusion decision was issued for 860 people. There are a total of 3 thousand 852 people wanted by Türkiye with a red notice or at the international level. 1,400 of these people are wanted for public order crimes, 718 for smuggling and organized crimes, 898 for narcotics and 836 for terrorism crimes.
CONTACTS WERE INCREASED TO ACCELERATE RETURN PROCESSES
In addition to the visits of the Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi to Georgia, Bulgaria and Greece, contacts to accelerate the extradition processes were increased with the tripartite mechanism meetings. The focus was on processes to capture fugitives who fled abroad and bring them to Turkey.
Open Questions
- How will the trial process of extradited persons proceed?
