Turkey's Interior Ministry has announced that 63 wanted individuals were returned to Turkey from eight countries over the past month, including one from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). According to the ministry, those apprehended between 23 September and 23 October included 33 people sought internationally under Interpol red notices and 30 sought at national level.
Georgia accounted for by far the largest share, handing over 49 people. Five were returned from Germany, three from Greece and two from Kyrgyzstan, while the TRNC, Bulgaria, Moldova and Montenegro each handed over one person.
The ministry said the search for fugitives with outstanding arrest warrants was carried out jointly by the General Directorate of Security's Interpol-Europol Department, Justice Ministry officials, the anti-smuggling and organised crime, intelligence and narcotics departments, as well as cyber crime, public order and counter-terrorism units. The statement also listed the initials of those returned.
"We continue to catch members of organised crime groups and drug traffickers sought under red notices and at national level and bring them back to our country," the statement said, congratulating the police units involved and thanking Justice Ministry staff.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said the cooperation network built through security diplomacy was producing results on the ground, noting that 63 people had been brought back from eight countries in the past month.
