Sweden Approves Extradition of Drug Smuggler to Turkey
Swedish Supreme Court Upholds Extradition of a Fugitive to Turkey
A 35-year-old man who was arrested in Sweden in August 2022 has been ordered to be extradited to Turkey by the Swedish Supreme Court. The decision was made on 12 June and was later upheld by the government. The person in question, whose name was not disclosed, is a fugitive who had fled Turkey after being sentenced to over 4 years in prison for carrying drugs in 2013.
According to reports, the fugitive had requested not to be extradited to Turkey, citing his alleged support for the terrorist organization PKK and his use of ByLock, the communication app of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). The allegations against him have not been independently verified.
The extradition order comes amid increased tensions between Turkey and several European countries, including Sweden, over the treatment of political dissidents and human rights activists in Turkey. Critics of the Turkish government have accused it of using terrorism charges to silence opposition voices and stifle dissent.
Sweden’s decision to extradite the fugitive to Turkey has been criticized by human rights groups, who have called on the Swedish government to ensure that the fugitive is not subjected to torture or other forms of mistreatment in Turkish custody. Turkey has a poor record on human rights, and several high-profile cases of alleged torture and mistreatment have been reported in recent years.
The extradition order is likely to further strain the already tense relations between Turkey and Sweden. It remains to be seen whether the Swedish authorities will take any steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the fugitive during his transfer to Turkey.
