Russian fugitive wanted by Interpol captured in maritime operation off Antalya

A Russian national wanted by Interpol for bribery was apprehended on a yacht off the coast of Antalya.

The operation

According to a statement from the Antalya Governor’s Office, the Antalya Coast Guard Group Command initiated the operation upon receiving intelligence that the fugitive identified as A.P. (58), who was wanted in Russia for bribery and under an urgent arrest warrant, was attempting to flee Türkiye by sea.

The operation was conducted with the support of the Intelligence Branch Directorate and maritime units, alongside the Antalya Regional Directorate of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT).

The target, a Ukrainian-flagged sailboat, was intercepted off the coast of Antalya.

Arrest, seizure

During the operation, Russian national A.P., who is wanted by Interpol with a red bulletin, his son identified as E.P., an Azerbaijani national identified as V.D. and a Ukrainian national identified as I.C. was arrested.

A search of the vessel uncovered €7,000, $5,000, 200 Thai Baht, a Turkish ID card, a Russian ID card, passports, 4 mobile phones, a laptop and a tablet.

Legal actions

A.P. was taken into custody. E.P., whose residence permit in Türkiye had expired, was handed over to the Antalya Provincial Migration Administration.

The other 2 individuals, V.D. and I.C., were released.

It was revealed that the fugitive identified as A.P. had acquired Turkish citizenship in 2021 but was stripped of it in 2023 because of an arrest warrant issued by Russian judicial authorities.