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Brazil court rejects Turkey’s extradition request for businessman
BRASILIA, Aug 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Brazil’s highest court on Tuesday
rejected a request to extradite a Turkish citizen accused by Ankara of
terrorism, saying the man would not be guaranteed a fair trial.
The unanimous decision by the Federal Supreme Court means Ali Sipahi can
remain in the Latin American country where he has lived for the past 12
years.
Sipahi faced charges in Turkey of belonging to a terrorist organization
involved in the failed coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in
July 2016.
The dual Turkish and Brazilian citizen had initially been held in jail, but
was freed in May as he awaited the court’s decision.
Sipahi, who owns a restaurant in Sao Paulo and is married and has a child,
is involved in the Brazil-Turkey Cultural Center and Turkey-Brazil Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, which are connected to Gulen’s “Hizmet” (Service)
movement.
He had been targeted for depositing money in Turkish bank Asya, which has
been linked to Gulen, his lawyer said previously.
Gulen, who lives in self-exile in the United States, is accused of ordering
the attempted overthrow of Erdogan, but he strongly denies any involvement.
Ankara calls Gulen’s Hizmet movement a terrorist group, but followers
insist they are part of a peaceful organization promoting moderate Islam and
education.
Tens of thousands of people have been arrested by Turkey in the crackdown
that followed the attempted putsch and the Turkish authorities have also
brought back suspects in secret operations from foreign countries including
Ukraine and Kosovo.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0906 hrs