Cablegate: Update On Turkish Extradition Request

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003445

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE, ALBEIT UNCLASSIFIED,
AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PHUM PINS PTER TU IZ
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON TURKISH EXTRADITION REQUEST

REF: BAGHDAD 3201

1. (SBU) Coalition Forces are working with the
Central Criminal Court of Iraq (CCCI) to expedite the
trial of two Turkish nationals requested for
extradition by Turkey on suspicion of involvement in
the Istanbul bombings. (As noted in Reftel, the CCCI
has informed Post that it intends to try both
individuals prior to their extradition to Turkey.)

2. (SBU) One of the two extradition candidates,
Sadettin Akdas, was tried by the CCCI on August 7,
2005 and convicted of crimes against the internal
security of the state. He was sentenced to twenty
years' imprisonment, and is now available for
extradition. He remains in a Coalition detention
facility pending Iraqi approval of the Turkish
extradition request.

3. (SBU) The remaining candidate, Burhan Kus,
attended an investigative hearing on August 15, 2005,
at which he admitted illegal entry into Iraq for the
purpose of conducting terrorist attacks. We expect he
will appear before a CCCI trial panel in mid-to-late
September; conviction appears likely.

3. (SBU) Post has arranged a meeting of Turkish
Ambassador Cevikoz, Major General William Brandenburg
(MNF-I Deputy Commanding General - Detainee
Operations) and Judge Medhat, President of the Iraqi
Higher Juridical Council on August 23, 2005 to discuss
next steps in the extradition of Mr. Akdas.
Khalilzad

© Scoop Media