A 32-year-old Turkish woman, identified as Julide Yazici, appeared today before the Criminal Chamber Court in Tirana after being arrested at Rinas for extradition purposes. According to Turkish authorities, she has been convicted over links to a terrorist organization, while the defense opposes her surrender and raises concerns that her life is at risk.
Detained at Rinas upon entering Albania
Yazici was arrested while traveling from France to Albania. During checks at the Rinas border crossing point, according to the official version, she was found to be wanted by Interpol Ankara.
The arrest was carried out on behalf of the Turkish state and is linked to an extradition procedure that is now expected to be reviewed by the court in Tirana.
Sentence in Turkey and the charges against her
According to information presented by the Turkish side, the 32-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison for providing logistical assistance to a terrorist organization and for participation in a terrorist organization.
According to the same information, she still has 3 years, 5 months and 22 days of her prison sentence left to serve. These are the claims on which the extradition request is based.
Claim of links to protests against Erdogan
From information provided to the media, Yazici was a student about seven years ago and is suspected of having taken part in protests against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
This element makes the case more sensitive, as in such cases the line between criminal prosecution and political confrontation remains essential for the justice system to verify.
Defense against extradition
Her lawyer, Artan Shllaku, has said he will seek the immediate release of the 32-year-old and the rejection of the extradition.
According to the defense, Yazici has been granted political asylum in France, and her return to Turkey would put her life at risk. This is expected to be the key point of contention in the courtroom.
The case under review in Tirana concerns not only extradition procedures, but also the way Albanian institutions handle requests coming from a state with a contested history in the pursuit of political opponents.
The court’s decision is expected to weigh two opposing lines: Ankara’s official request and the defense’s claim of a serious risk if the 32-year-old is surrendered.