Turkey secures extradition of organized crime leaders Ferhat Delen and Erdoğan Aykut from Georgia
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Turkey's Interior Ministry said organized crime leaders Ferhat Delen and Erdoğan Aykut were captured in Georgia and extradited to Turkey via the Sarp border crossing. The ministry also said five other red-notice fugitives, including Kule Emre group member Bayram Tekkalan, were returned in the same operation. The extraditions were coordinated by Turkish police, foreign ministry and justice ministry units.
The Extraditions
Ferhat Delen and Erdoğan Aykut were detained in Georgia and handed over to Turkish authorities at the Sarp land border crossing, the Interior Ministry said. The ministry said the transfer was coordinated by the General Directorate of Security's Interpol-Europol Department, anti-smuggling and intelligence units, and the foreign and justice ministries. The statement named the two leaders and five other fugitives returned in the operation.
The Charges
Delen was sought under an Interpol red notice for intentional homicide, forming a criminal organization, and firearms offenses, according to the Interior Ministry. Aykut was wanted for armed robbery, facilitating illegal departure abroad, and theft. The ministry said Bayram Tekkalan, a member of the Kule Emre organized crime group, was also returned, along with four suspects identified only by initials. Those four were wanted on charges including premeditated murder, counterfeiting, and deprivation of liberty.
Government Response
The Interior Ministry said no organized crime group would be allowed to draw young people into criminal activity, adding that fugitives would not escape 'the grasp of the Turkish state' no matter how many years pass. It congratulated police units, including the Artvin provincial police, and thanked justice and foreign ministry personnel. The statement listed the police departments involved, including the Interpol-Europol, anti-organized crime, intelligence, migration, border security and public order units.
What's Next
Turkish authorities have not said whether other suspects linked to the two groups remain in Georgia or elsewhere. It remains unclear whether further extradition requests will follow as the Interior Ministry continues its operation against organized crime networks.
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Turkey secures extradition of organized crime leaders Ferhat Delen and Erdoğan Aykut from Georgia
