SYRIAN REFUGEE AT RISK OF EXTRADITION [Türkiye 32.25]

Dear Mr. Hüseyin Kök,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the detention of Syrian refugee, Mohamad Alkayali, who was arrested in Türkiye on December 27, 2024 based on a 2016 INTERPOL Red Notice requested by Saudi Arabia.

In 2018, Mohamad Alkayali, while applying for Turkish citizenship, was informed by Turkish authorities that an INTERPOL Red Notice has been issued against him, which was officially confirmed by INTERPOL in 2023. The Red Notice, issued by Saudi Arabia on March 18, 2016, accuses him of “forgery of seals”. However, Saudi authorities have not provided formal charges or court documents to substantiate the accusation.

Saudi Arabia has a well-documented history of using politically motivated charges, unfair trials, and lengthy prison sentences to silence critics. Amnesty International is deeply concerned that this case maybe be a targeted attempt to punish Mohamad Alkayali for his criticism of Saudi authorities.

Mohamad Alkayali suffers from a severe cervical herniated disc and chronic pain, which requires surgery. His extradition to Saudi Arabia would expose him to a serious risk of human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, an unfair trial, and torture or other ill-treatment.

I urge you to immediately halt Mohamad Alkayali’s extradition and ensure that Turkish authorities release him so he can be reunited with his family. Additionally, I call on you to ensure that Türkiye upholds its international human rights obligations and protects Mohamad Alkayali from refoulement. Finally, I request that an urgent travel permit be issued for his wife so that she can visit him.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]