US court postpones extradition hearing for Turkish author’s son

A U.S. court has ruled to continue the detention of Timur Cihantimur, the son of Turkish author Eylem Tok, following his involvement in the death of Oguz Murat Aci during a fatal traffic incident in Istanbul. Cihantimur was driving without a license at the time of the accident.

The court has adjourned the final extradition hearing to a later date, postponing the decision on Cihantimur’s extradition until after the parties submit their final written arguments. Cihantimur was smuggled by his mother, Eylem Tok, to the U.S. after the incident.

The tragic accident that resulted in the death of Oguz Murat Aci occurred on March 1 in Istanbul’s Eyupsultan district. The incident involved three all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) traveling on the road, one of which broke down and was parked on the side for repairs. While the vehicle was being attended to, two other vehicles in the same direction collided with the parked ATVs, injuring five individuals and fatally wounding Aci.

Seventeen-year-old Timur Cihantimur, identified as the driver responsible for the crash, was at the scene when the incident unfolded. Shortly after the accident, his mother, Eylem Tok, arrived and left with him. The pair subsequently fled to Egypt and later made their way to the United States.

In response to Türkiye’s request, the U.S. Justice Department issued a temporary detention order. Tok and Cihantimur were arrested in Boston on June 14. Their initial court appearance on June 18 resulted in both being remanded in custody as the extradition process continues.