UK court rejects Turkey’s extradition request for businessman İpek

Turkish government’s extradition request for businessman Akın ipek is  “politically motivated,” according to a UK court.

UK Judge John Zani ruled on Wednesday Turkish Businessman Hamdi Akın İpek and two other Turkish nationals will not be extradited to Turkey as the Turkish government’s accusiations are “politically motivated,” and thus the men were at risk of a breach of their human rights if they extradited.

Mr. İpek who currently resides in London, UK, is accused by the Turkish government of having links to the Gülen group

The group is accused by the Turkish government of masterminding a failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016, although it denies any involvement.

Due to his alleged links, İpek is also accused by the Turkish authorities of attempting to overthrow Turkey’s government and violate the Constitution, faces up to two aggravated life sentences if convicted.

The İpek family had already been under immense pressure from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP)  following corruption operations that were conducted on Dec. 17 and 25, 2013 in which Erdoğan’s close circle was implicated.

On Oct. 24, 2015 the government appointed trustees to take over the management of dozens of companies belonging to the İpek family in addition to several media outlets operating under the İpek Media Group, due to their critical stance against the government.

In January 2017 an Ankara court ordered that all assets belonging to the İpek family be transferred to the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) over links to the Gülen group.

Earlier in July 2018, İpek was secretly filmed in his UK office by the Anadolu news agency.

The agency released video footage that shows İpek being secretly filmed around his offices in London and driving his car. In the clip the address of İpek’s offices are shown as well as the license plate of his car.