New development in the extradition case of Timur Cihantimur to Turkey

In the latest hearing for 17-year-old Timur Cihantimur, who fled to the U.S. following a fatal traffic accident in Istanbul and was apprehended in Boston upon Turkey's extradition request, the judge requested final written arguments from both parties and stated that a decision would be rendered later.

Cihantimur, who has been held in custody in the U.S. for 4 months, appeared in court today in handcuffs for what may be the final time.

During the hearing held at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston, Cihantimur's lawyers argued that there is no indictment prepared in their client's case file in Turkey and that the extradition of a U.S. citizen during an ongoing investigation phase is unconstitutional.

The prosecution, however, emphasized that there is sufficient evidence in the case and that 17-year-old Cihantimur should be extradited to Turkey.

At the end of the hearing, which lasted approximately 1 hour, Judge Donald Cabell decided to keep Cihantimur in custody and requested that both the defense and the prosecution submit their final 8-page written arguments regarding the case within one week.

Cabell will render his decision on the extradition request to Turkey after reviewing the written arguments from both parties.

Cihantimur's mother, Eylem Tok, also appeared before the judge for her own decision hearing on October 9, where Judge Cabell similarly requested that the defense and prosecution submit their final written arguments within one week.

The deadline for the submission of written arguments for Eylem Tok expires tomorrow.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On March 1, in Kemerburgaz, Istanbul, 17-year-old unlicensed driver Timur Cihantimur struck and killed Oğuz Murat Aci, who was waiting on the road due to a breakdown of his ATV, while racing with his luxury vehicle.

Following the incident, Timur Cihantimur was taken to Egypt and then to the United States by his mother, author Eylem Tok, and was later apprehended by U.S. police.

It was requested that Timur Cihantimur, whose trial continues in the U.S., be extradited to Turkey.

The case, for which the U.S. court requested written documents during the trial process, has been adjourned to a later date.

News Source: İHA