Ali Yerlikaya: 552 individuals wanted via Red Notice and diffusion notices have been captured

CHP Kahramanmaraş MP Ali Öztunç submitted a parliamentary question regarding the increasing number of foreign criminal organizations in Turkey. Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya provided a response to the question submitted by Öztunç. 

In his parliamentary question, CHP's Ali Öztunç asked Minister Ali Yerlikaya the following questions: 

"What are the reasons for the rapid proliferation of foreign criminal organizations in Turkey in recent years? What measures are being taken against these criminal organizations? How many people who are leaders, managers, or members of international criminal organizations have been captured in the last five years? How many of them have acquired Turkish citizenship? What are the nationalities of the individuals who are leaders, managers, or members of international criminal organizations captured in the last five years? How many of these consist of those wanted by Interpol via Red Notice? Do you agree with the opinion that the most important reason foreign mafia groups choose Turkey is the ease of obtaining citizenship through real estate purchases and asset amnesty?" 

Responding to the motion, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya announced that a total of 552 individuals were captured between June 1, 2023, and August 19, 2024, including 376 people wanted by Interpol via Red Notice and 176 people wanted via diffusion messages. 

Minister Yerlikaya, who responded to Öztunç's motion, provided the following information:

'A TOTAL OF 552 INDIVIDUALS WERE CAPTURED'

"Red Notices are issued by the Interpol General Secretariat based on arrest warrants issued by the judicial authorities of Interpol member countries, allowing for the international search of suspect individuals. The crime categories of organized crime groups targeted in operations during 2024 consist of opposition to the Anti-Smuggling Law No. 5607, drug manufacturing and trafficking, qualified fraud, usury, bribery, theft, forgery of official documents, establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes, qualified robbery, intentional homicide, intentional injury, deprivation of liberty, threats-blackmail, and shooting at vehicles, workplaces, and residences.

Within the scope of operations conducted between June 1, 2023, and August 19, 2024, a total of 660 organized crime gangs were dismantled, including 441 in the field of Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM), 181 in Narcotics, and 38 in cyber areas. In this context, 1,640 operations were carried out, 11,635 individuals were detained, 4,522 individuals were arrested, and judicial control decisions were issued for 2,367 individuals. Within the scope of the operations, 545 long-barreled weapons, 9,402 pistols, 1,840 shotguns, 1,524 blank-firing pistols, 390,161 cartridges, 19 hand grenades, and 6,156 checks and promissory notes were seized. Between June 1, 2023, and August 19, 2024, a total of 552 individuals were captured, including 376 individuals wanted by Interpol via Red Notice and 176 individuals wanted via diffusion messages.

Under Article 9 of the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458, the practice of banning entry into the country has been initiated in coordination with the Presidency of Migration Management for foreign individuals who have a notice against them and are considered to pose a risk to public safety or national security. For those found to be in our country, deportation procedures are being carried out. Research and investigations aimed at uncovering criminal organizations are continuing without interruption. As with all suspects identified in ongoing investigations, if evidence is obtained that public officials have also committed crimes, legal proceedings are initiated against them.

During entries and exits made through legal channels in our country, the identity and travel documents of individuals are queried against Interpol databases, and judicial authorities are informed about those found to have records. In cases where different/fake identities are used, necessary judicial procedures are carried out by law enforcement officers, and judicial authorities are informed according to the subject of the notice. Matters regarding extradition requests within the framework of the Law on International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters No. 6706 are carried out by the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, procedures regarding the acquisition of Turkish citizenship are carried out in accordance with the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law."

News Source: 12punto