Türkiye has successfully secured the extradition of five individuals wanted under international and national warrants, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Thursday.

The individuals were apprehended in Georgia and returned to Türkiye following coordinated efforts by multiple government agencies.

In a statement shared on social media, Minister Yerlikaya stated: “We have brought five more criminals wanted with red notices back to our country. They will not evade justice.” The latest operation brings the total number of extradited individuals during the current cabinet’s term to 369, he added.

Among those extradited are three individuals identified by their initials—A.A.Y., A.D., and O.C.—who were listed under Interpol red notices. Two others, I.K. and G.Y., were wanted on a national level. All five were detained in Georgia and subsequently handed over to Turkish authorities.

The operation was carried out with coordination between Türkiye’s Ministry of Justice, the General Directorate of Security’s Interpol-Europol Department, and local police forces in the northeastern provinces of Artvin and Ardahan.

The fugitives face a wide range of serious criminal charges, including qualified sexual abuse of a child, unlawful deprivation of liberty using force or threats, murder, attempted premeditated murder, escape from detention, assault, insult, illegal possession of firearms, arson, flooding, destruction, bombing, and the alleged use of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons. Some are also accused of membership in the FETO (Fetullah Terrorist Organization), which Türkiye classifies as a terrorist group.

Minister Yerlikaya emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to pursuing fugitives abroad. “Regardless of the type of notice or the country they fled to, we will continue to locate and bring back members of terrorist organizations, organized crime groups, and drug traffickers to Türkiye. They cannot escape Turkish law enforcement,” he said.

Yerlikaya also extended his thanks to the Ministry of Justice, Interpol-Europol Department, and all law enforcement personnel involved in the operation.

The extradition is the latest in Türkiye’s intensified efforts to clamp down on transnational crime and fugitive offenders, reinforcing the country’s policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism and organized crime. (ILKHA)