Türkiye has brought back 714 fugitives from 44 countries since the beginning of the year as part of its “Cross-Border Trap” operations, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced on Friday.
In a post on his social media account, Çiftçi said the fugitives were wanted for various offenses and had been handed over to Turkish justice following their return.
The group includes 332 people wanted for general criminal offenses, 271 for smuggling and organized crime, 99 for narcotics offenses and 12 for terrorism-related crimes.
Çiftçi said 170 of the 714 fugitives were leaders or members of organized crime groups.
“Since the beginning of the year, as part of the ‘Cross-Border Trap’ operations we have conducted, we have brought a total of 714 fugitives wanted for various crimes back to our country from 44 countries and handed them over to the Turkish Ministry of Justice,” he said.
The minister also stressed that individuals who flee abroad after committing crimes in an attempt to evade justice would continue to be tracked down regardless of where they go.
“Those who think they can escape justice by fleeing abroad after committing crimes will have their tracks followed wherever they go in the world,” Çiftçi said.
He added that the Interior, Justice and Foreign Ministries are coordinating efforts to secure the extradition of fugitives and ensure they face justice in Türkiye.
