Linked to Baris Boyun organized crime group, Ercan Yilmaz wanted internationally for 14 years with Interpol red notice, says ministry
Turkish authorities announced Sunday the extradition of organized crime ringleader Ercan Yilmaz and his accomplice Ibrahim Kaymak from Armenia, with both individuals sought under Interpol red notices.
The operation to find them was coordinated by several Turkish agencies, including the Justice and Foreign Ministries, as well as the Interpol-Europol Department of the Interior Ministry's Directorate General of Security.
The Interior Ministry noted on X that Yilmaz, who is linked to the Baris Boyun criminal organization, has been wanted in Türkiye for the past 15 years with 43 arrest warrants and internationally for 14 years following the Interpol red notice for his capture.
Kaymak, a member of the criminal network, had been wanted in the country for six years with 10 arrest warrants and internationally for a year.
The two were transported to Türkiye to "face justice," the ministry said.
"Türkiye appreciates the cooperation demonstrated in this matter by Armenia," the Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement.
In May 2024, the criminal group's ringleader, Baris Boyun, who was sought by Turkish authorities with a red notice, was among 19 outlaws, including 17 Turks and two Italians, captured in Italy.
According to Italian law enforcement, they were arrested on charges of forming a terrorist organization and an armed group for homicide, assault, illegally possessing firearms and explosives, smuggling weapons, trafficking drugs, and aiding illegal immigration.
- 242 outlaws with red alerts extradited to Türkiye
According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, 760 outlaws wanted under red notices were apprehended in the country between June 4, 2023, and Jan. 10, 2025.
Moreover, 242 outlaws wanted internationally under a red notice were extradited to Türkiye during this period, the ministry added.
