Türkiye extradites criminal ringleader Ercan Yilmaz under Interpol red notice from Armenia
The Interior Ministry reports that Ercan Yilmaz, the ringleader of an organized crime organization wanted under a red notice, and Ibrahim Kaymak, a member of the criminal organization, are brought to Türkiye from Armenia. (AA Photo)
Turkish authorities revealed Sunday the extradition of organized crime ringleader Ercan Yilmaz and his accomplice Ibrahim Kaymak from Armenia, both wanted under Interpol red notices.
The operation was coordinated by multiple Turkish agencies, including the Justice and Foreign Ministries, along with the Interpol-Europol Department of the Interior Ministry’s Directorate General of Security.
The Interior Ministry noted on X that Yilmaz, linked to the Baris Boyun criminal organization, had been wanted in Türkiye for 15 years with 43 arrest warrants, and internationally for 14 years following an Interpol red notice.
Kaymak, a member of the same criminal network, had been sought for six years with 10 arrest warrants in Türkiye, and internationally for a year.
The two were transported to Türkiye to “face justice,” the ministry stated.
“Türkiye appreciates the cooperation demonstrated by Armenia in this matter,” the Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement.
In May 2024, the criminal group’s ringleader, Baris Boyun, who was also sought by Turkish authorities under a red notice, was among 19 outlaws, including 17 Turks and two Italians, captured in Italy.
According to Italian law enforcement, the group was arrested on charges of forming a terrorist organization, an armed group for homicide, assault, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, smuggling weapons, trafficking drugs, and aiding illegal immigration.
Türkiye extradites 242 red notice outlaws
According to the Interior Ministry, 760 outlaws wanted under red notices were apprehended in Türkiye between June 4, 2023, and Jan. 10, 2025.
The ministry added that 242 outlaws wanted internationally under red notices were extradited to Türkiye during this period.
