Stating that some criminal organization leaders captured in Greece continue to contact their organizations and carry out actions despite being in detention, Çiftçi emphasized that Greece should not be a place where criminals can take refuge. Çiftçi announced that 625 criminal organizations have been dismantled and 8,170 members of organized crime groups have been arrested in operations carried out since the beginning of this year as part of the fight against organized crime.
"We have succeeded in making our country a place that irregular migrants cannot easily enter"
Stating that relations between Turkey and Greece have developed in recent years under the leadership of their respective leaders, Minister Çiftçi noted that cooperation between the two countries continues on many important topics, and that significant progress has been made in the fight against irregular migration within the framework of the Tripartite Mechanism, which includes Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria. Minister Çiftçi stated, "We have succeeded in making our country a place that irregular migrants cannot easily enter; and even if they do, they cannot leave, move around freely, work, and will be deported if caught."
"Operations against criminal organizations in Greece have increased"
Stating that various contacts and meetings have been held between the law enforcement units of the two countries recently, Minister Çiftçi said that the number of operations against organized crime groups in Greece has increased thanks to dialogue and communication channels, and especially the sharing of instant information. Stating that many criminals have been delivered to justice as a result of these efforts, Minister Çiftçi said, "We are pleased with this situation and thank you for your efforts."
"We have dismantled 625 criminal organizations"
Providing information on the operations carried out within the scope of the fight against organized crime, Minister Çiftçi said that 1,741 operations have been carried out since the beginning of this year, and a total of 625 criminal organizations, 22 of which were international in nature, have been dismantled, and 8,170 members of organized crime groups have been arrested. Expressing that 35,819 drug dealers have also been arrested as a result of the effective fight against drug trafficking in the same period, Çiftçi noted that operations against criminal organizations will continue in the same manner from now on.
"International cooperation has gained importance in the fight against new-generation criminal organizations"
Stating that new-generation criminal organizations have become an increasingly important issue recently, Minister Çiftçi said that these structures organize, conduct propaganda, and recruit members through social media and digital communication platforms. Minister Çiftçi stated that the actions and criminal proceeds of these organizations are being tracked on social media as part of the fight against new-generation criminal organizations, adding, "It is not possible for any country to achieve results alone in the fight against crime. Compared to old-style conventional criminal organizations, international cooperation has gained even greater importance in the fight against new-generation criminal organizations. We expect your sensitivity, in particular, regarding the capture and extradition to our country of the leaders and members of new-generation organized crime groups, which are among the priority threat areas for our country."
"Greece should not be a sanctuary for criminals"
Stating that some criminal organization leaders captured in Greece continue to contact their organizations and carry out actions despite being in detention, Minister Çiftçi emphasized that Greece should not be a place where criminals can take refuge. Çiftçi said, "Preventing this is very important. We especially expect the extradition processes of these individuals to be accelerated. As a result of the extraditions you have carried out and will carry out, it will also be underlined that Greece is not a place where criminals can take refuge."
Emphasis on rapid information exchange in asylum applications
Drawing attention to the importance of information exchange regarding Turkish citizens who apply for asylum, Minister Çiftçi stated that the concept of asylum, which is important from a humanitarian perspective, can be prevented from being hollowed out by criminals, and that rapid information exchange can be carried out at this point, especially through Interpol channels.
"The predictability of extradition processes is negatively affected"
Touching upon the problems experienced in the extradition processes of criminals captured in Greece, Minister Çiftçi stated, "After the travel schedule and ticket procedures of these individuals, whose extradition processes are at the completion stage, are finalized, the extradition process has been canceled or stopped at the last stage in some cases due to the ongoing trials in Greece, and in other cases due to applications made to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) at the last minute. These situations, which arise after our assigned personnel go to Greece or our land border gates for the extradition mission, have unfortunately become frequent recently. Such incidents negatively affect the predictability of extradition processes. In order to prevent this situation, we can also benefit from the provisions of the existing Readmission Agreement. The deportation mechanism can be applied for individuals whose conditions are met."
"The 'Terror-Free Turkey' process should not be negatively affected"
Stating that security forces are fighting decisively and effectively against terrorist organizations such as PKK/PYD, DAESH, DHKP/C, and FETÖ, Minister Çiftçi said that the actual terrorist threat against Turkey has been largely ended thanks to this fight. Minister Çiftçi said, "In this process, the organization must be prevented from exploiting the positive atmosphere created by the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process to open space for its activities that appear legal, which are also reflected in EUROPOL and intelligence reports."
"We expect you to see the true face of FETÖ and support our fight"
Emphasizing Turkey's fight against the FETÖ terrorist organization, Minister Çiftçi said that the organization's criminal activities, such as the abuse of refugee status, also pose a threat to the public order and interests of Greece and other countries where it is active. Minister Çiftçi said, "Our expectation from you, our friends, is that you see the true face of FETÖ, support our fight, and extradite the members of the organization to our country."
Expressing that by developing cooperation and unity of power, crime and criminals can be fought more effectively, Minister Çiftçi concluded his words by saying, "We believe that today, no country should be a safe haven in an area that concerns the security of another. This forces us to cooperate. The only purpose of our being here is this."
News Source: İHA
