Turkish suspect of Russian pilot’s killing arrested in Georgia over mob charge
A Turkish suspect in the legal case on the 2015 killing of a Russian pilot in Syria has been arrested in Georgia on charges of forming a criminal organization, assault, arson and blackmailing, Hurriyet Daily News reports.
According to Izmir Chief Prosecutor’s Office, Serkan Kurtulus played a key role in the mob, which was based in the western Turkish province of Izmir, operating in Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Mugla, Artvin and Trabzon as well.
Police detained 49 people in raids across Turkey in recent weeks, notifying Interpol that Kurtulus evaded capture and thought to have fled the country.
Following an Interpol arrest warrant, Georgian police detained the Turkish man in Tbilisi on June 29 and sent him to Rustavi Prison near the capital.
According to Turkish officials, Ankara sent an extradition request for Kurtulus to Georgia.
Kurtulus was among the 18 suspects who put on trial in Turkey over the killing of Oleg Peshkov, the pilot of the Russian jet downed by Turkey on Nov. 24, 2015.
Both pilots aboard the downed SU-24 jet ejected and parachuted to the ground on the Syrian side of the border. One of them was killed by gun fire from the ground after ejecting from the plane.