Türkiye has brought 60 wanted criminals back from abroad, including 16 internationally wanted under Red Notices and 44 sought nationally, the Interior Ministry announced Monday.
The individuals were returned to Türkiye following coordinated operations involving the General Directorate of Security’s Interpol-Europol Department, Justice Ministry officials and units responsible for combating organized crime, intelligence, narcotics, cybercrime, public order and counterterrorism.
The Interior Ministry said the operations targeted individuals who had fled abroad and were subject to arrest warrants, with cooperation from law enforcement authorities in the countries where they were located.
Of the 60 individuals, 43 were apprehended in Georgia, five in Greece, two each in Germany and the U.K., and one each in Bulgaria, Montenegro, Poland, Serbia, Armenia, Switzerland, Romania and Russia.
The suspects are wanted for a range of offenses, including intentional homicide, robbery, drug trafficking, illegal firearms and ammunition purchases, escape from custody, forgery of official documents, assault, fraud and theft.
Other charges include premeditated murder, attempted premeditated murder, threats, blackmail, violations of tax legislation, damage to property, sexual assault, deprivation of liberty and money laundering.
Some of the individuals are also wanted for facilitating the illegal entry or stay of foreign nationals, enabling Turkish citizens or foreigners to leave the country illegally, entering military restricted zones, violating the Military Penal Code, violating legislation on preventing the financing of terrorism and membership in an armed terrorist organization.
The ministry said the returns were secured through international law enforcement cooperation as Türkiye continues efforts to locate and repatriate wanted individuals who flee abroad.
