Serkan Kurtuluş, wanted for 33 crimes, brought to Istanbul and remanded by Izmir court

Serkan Kurtuluş, the organized crime boss wanted by Interpol red notice for 33 separate crimes including premeditated murder and establishing a criminal organization, was brought to Istanbul following a prolonged extradition process and remanded in custody by decision of İzmir 3rd High Criminal Court. Anadolu Agency reported.

The indictment against Kurtuluş was prepared by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in 2017 and accepted by İzmir 3rd High Criminal Court. Brought to Turkey, Kurtuluş gave his first statement through the Audio-Visual Information System (SEGBİS). In his statement, Kurtuluş claimed to have lived abroad for approximately 10 years, and argued that he was unaware of the charges, stating that he had been held for 6 years and 2 months in Argentina and 8 months in Georgia in connection with this case.

In his defence, Kurtuluş argued that under Turkish criminal law the pre-trial detention period cannot exceed five years, and requested that his seven years of detention abroad be taken into account and that he be tried without remand. The chief public prosecutor requested continued detention, citing the current state of the evidence and the nature of the charges; the court ordered that Kurtuluş remain in custody.

The crimes attributed to Kurtuluş include premeditated and intentional murder, establishing and managing a criminal organization, threats, aggravated robbery, and unlawful possession of dangerous materials. The extradition process, ongoing since his arrest in Argentina in 2020, has spanned more than four years.