European police: Turkey has become a “safe haven” for gangs by granting citizenship to criminals

While the news that many drug traffickers from different countries around the world escaped trial by “purchasing Turkish citizenship” remains on the agenda, the US-based Vice News site published a remarkable piece of news.

In the story headlined “Turkey faces new accusations of harboring cocaine traffickers,” European police were also reported to have confirmed that Turkey had rejected extradition requests for drug traffickers. The article claims that concerns have grown that Turkey is making it easier for criminals wanted under the golden visa policy to escape justice.

‘CITIZENSHIP IN ONE NIGHT’

European police reported that Turkey had rejected the extradition request for Bosnian Sani al Murdaa and Albanian Fljamur Sinanaj, whose extradition is requested by Belgium on drug trafficking charges. While these two people, accused of smuggling tons of cocaine, were claimed to have bought Turkish citizenship, European officials stressed that Turkey has become a “safe haven” for gangs.

Two smugglers are reported to have fled to Turkey after Belgium issued an arrest warrant and bought Turkish citizenship for $500,000.

A Belgian police officer said: “The United Arab Emirates has long had a serious problem bringing suspected cocaine dealers to justice, but there are also growing concerns about Turkey’s Golden Visa policies, about the fact that everyone gives up their money and becomes a citizen almost overnight. In addition, Türkiye rejects the extradition of its citizens, ”he stated.

Vice News noted that the news that the criminals obtained Turkish citizenship to avoid arrest had already come to the fore. The story published by Vice News last year that Turkey allowed international criminal gangs to evade prosecution by granting citizenship to investors and property buyers in the country was also on the agenda and sparked controversy.