Greek court clears extradition of Turkish businessman viral for Erdoğan criticism

Greece's Council of State has ruled in favor of extraditing Turkish businessman Ali Yeşildağ, who has been wanted by Ankara to serve a prison sentence for crimes including manslaughter, attempted robbery, and gun possession. As a former ally of Erdoğan, Yeşildağ went viral in 2023 for his criticism of the president before the elections.

Wednesday July 24 2024 03:00 pm

Reuters

Greece's Council of State has ruled in favor of extraditing a Turkish businessman, legal sources told Reuters on July 24, who is wanted by Ankara to serve a prison sentence for crimes including manslaughter, attempted robbery and gun possession.

Despite the top administrative court's ruling, Ali Yeşildağ's extradition is pending as he awaits a final decision on an asylum request made in September in Greece, arguing his life would be in danger in Turkey due to his conflict with Erdoğan.

The 54-year-old man, a former ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was arrested last year in a town near the Greek-Turkish border of Evros. Turkey requested his extradition as he was sought on an Interpol notice for crimes he was convicted of in 1986 by Turkish courts, Greek police officials have said.

Yeşildağ, who has said his family and Erdoğan's have had close ties for decades, drew backlash from Ankara last year when he accused Erdoğan and his family of corruption and bribery in a YouTube video.

Yeşildağ has said he has fallen out with his own family and the Turkish president over the past decade.

According to court documents seen by Reuters, he says he has served part of the prison sentences imposed on him and has been granted amnesty for the rest.

Earlier this year, Greece's supreme court and a justice minister ruled in favor of his extradition to Turkey. Yeşildağ had appealed against that decision to the Council of State.

The European Court of Human Rights has ordered a suspension of his extradition until Aug. 23, one of the sources said, adding his case would be reexamined.

"Yesildağ's extradition to Turkey would put his physical integrity and life at risk," said Thanassis Kampagiannis, one of his defense lawyers.