Sofia Extradites Turkish Ex-President Nephew
2005-01-07 00:00:00
Bulgaria extradited the nephew of former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel, Yahya Murat Demirel, who was arrested December 31 along with two other Turkish citizens by the border authorities in the coastal city of Burgas.

Interior Chief Secretary Boyko Borisov announced that Yahya Murat Demirel and his wife Aysenur Esenler were extradited last night to Turkey.

Bulgarian authorities seized the Turkey-flagged "Rizah Terzioglou" ship, after discovering on its board three illegally travelling people with forged identity papers. After a thorough check on board of the ship, border police disclosed large bulks of antidepressants and amphetamines. Legal proceedings were initiated immediately against the three Turkish nationals.

It turned out that the sedatives were US medicine for heart disease used by Demirel's wife and the quantity found did not exceed the allowed by law.

In his country Murat Demirel and his wife Aysenur Esenler are being prosecuted for draining USD 1.2 B from the Turkish Egebank. The presidential nephew used to be on the board of directors of the bank. The two spouses have an effective ban to leave Turkey.