Turkey Investigates Deportation of Egyptian Facing Death Penalty, Reports Reuters

ANKARA – Turkish authorities are launching an investigation into the deportation of an Egyptian man facing execution in Cairo for his alleged involvement in a car bomb attack. The Istanbul governor’s office announced on Wednesday that eight police officers involved in the case have been suspended.

Mohamed Abdelhafiz Ahmed Hussein, identified by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood as a member, is one of 28 individuals sentenced in absentia to death in July 2017 for the killing of Egypt’s public prosecutor during the attack, according to state media reports.

Hussein was deported last month from Istanbul’s Ataturk airport upon arrival from Somalia due to lacking a visa.

This situation exacerbates the already tense relations between Turkey and Egypt, which have been strained since the military ousted President Mohamed Mursi, a member of the Brotherhood, amid widespread protests in 2013.

The Istanbul governor’s office stated that when Hussein arrived in Turkey, there was no indication that he was facing any trial, and he did not seek asylum, leading officials to classify him as an “unacceptable passenger” due to his visa issues.

In a subsequent statement, the governor’s office revealed that a commission has been established to investigate the deportation, and the eight police officers have been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry.

An adviser to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticized the deportation, stating it was inappropriate to send anyone back to Egypt under such circumstances and that the situation needed to be reviewed.

“Turkey has not and will not extradite anyone facing the death penalty or any other serious charges during (Egyptian President Abdel Fattah) Sisi’s administration,” Yasin Aktay expressed in his column in a pro-government newspaper.

The Muslim Brotherhood has strong connections with Turkey’s ruling AK Party, and many members have sought refuge in Turkey following the banning of their activities in Egypt.

Egyptian authorities label the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, with most of its senior members either arrested or forced into exile. The Brotherhood, on the other hand, insists it is a peaceful political movement.

Defendants who are tried and sentenced in absentia in Egypt can expect a retrial upon their capture or surrender. Sources from Egypt’s National Security Service indicated that Hussein was interrogated and subsequently taken to jail in preparation for his retrial following his arrival in Egypt.