Türkiye Seeks Extradition of Suspects Involved in Fatal Traffic Accident from US
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on Tuesday that two suspects involved in a fatal traffic accident in Istanbul have been ordered to be extradited from the United States. The Massachusetts District Court ruled in favor of extraditing Eylem Tok, a Turkish author, and her son, Timur Cihantimur, to Türkiye.
Minister Tunc confirmed the decision on social media, stating, “We will continue our necessary efforts to ensure the suspects’ extradition from the US so that justice is served.”
Fatal Accident and Fleeing Suspects
The incident occurred on March 1, when Cihantimur, driving his parents’ SUV without a license, crashed into three all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Istanbul’s Eyup Sultan district, injuring five people. One of the victims, Oguz Murat Aci, later died from his injuries. Following the accident, Cihantimur, accompanied by his mother, fled the scene and traveled to Egypt before reaching the US.
After the Turkish Justice Ministry sent official extradition requests to US authorities, both suspects were located and detained. The extradition decision marks an important step in bringing them to Türkiye to face justice.
