Albania deports Gülen follower at Turkey’s request despite court rejection of extradition


Date posted: January 3, 2020

Albanian authorities on Wednesday deported Harun Çelik, a Turkish teacher at a school affiliated with the faith-based Gülen movement in Albania, to Turkey despite a court order releasing him from his five-month incarceration over an extradition request from Ankara.

Çelik, 41, was reportedly arrested five months ago at Turkey’s request, but the court denied the extradition.

According to Bold Medya, Çelik was released from prison on Wednesday evening, when the Albanian police picked him up for transport to Tirana’s Rinas International Airport.

He had applied for asylum in the country five months ago, but officials have not yet proceeded with the request, the report said.

Turkey had previously been able to bring Gülen-affiliated individuals back home without official extradition processes in Kosovo and Moldova.

Turkish officials claim more than 100 Gülen followers have been brought back to the country since a failed 2016 coup.

Ankara accuses the Gülen movement of orchestrating the coup, although it strongly denies any involvement.

Source: Turkish Minute , January 1, 2020


Related News

Unscrupulous news reporting by Der Spiegel

ABDULLAH BOZKURT Der Spiegel’s recent article titled, “Dangerous Friends: Power Struggle Splits Turkish Ruling Party,” by Hasnain Kazim and Maximilian Popp, is perhaps the best example of the way in which Der Spiegel misrepresents and unfairly presents the magazine’s biased view of the Gülen movement in Turkey. This unscrupulous news piece may only pass as […]

Turkey’s anti-Gulen campaign: Strengthening militants and jihadists

The dilemma for the Pakistani government is stark. Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim has warned that Turkey would be at war with any country that cooperates or aids the Gulen movement. Yet closing down schools that prepare their students for a modern society and economy is something Pakistan’s deeply troubled education sector can ill afford.

Ministry of Education denies authorizing raid on Gülen-inspired schools

The Ministry of Education denied on Tuesday having authorized a raid on private schools inspired by the faith-based Gülen movement that was conducted nearly two months ago in an official written statement sent in response to an objection submitted to the ministry by a lawyer representing the school group.

Nigeria Gives 7-Day Ultimatum to Turkish Government to Release Over 50 Nigerian Students Held in Detention

The House of Representatives on Tuesday issued a seven-day ultimatum to Turkish Government to release over 50 Nigerian students being held in detention. The House called on the federal government to urgently deploy all diplomatic options to ensure their immediate release.

Pakistan – Staff expelled from Turkish-backed schools on Erdogan’s demand

Amnesty South Asia Director Champa Patel: “With 24 million Pakistani children out of school, Pakistan’s decision to expel teachers from the Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges will only hurt Pakistan’s children. What the country needs is more classrooms and more teachers, not a politically-motivated decision to purge educators at the behest of the Turkish government.”

PM Barzani and Turkish MPs attend the opening of Ishik University in Erbil

Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, several Turkish Members of Parliament, and Turkey’s Consul General to Mosul along with Kurdistan Regional Government and other officials attended the opening of Ishik University, a private Turkish university in Erbil. Prime Minister Barzani said that he considers the university, which is affiliated with […]

Latest News

Fix Your MacBook Microphone Issues

Fixing MacBook Microphone Issues: A Comprehensive Guide

Essential Data Science and AI/ML Skills Suite

Essential Security Skills for Today’s Digital World

Sacramento leaders gather for Iftar dinner in celebration of Ramadan

Mastering DevOps Skills Suite: Streamline Your Workflow

Mastering E-Commerce Skills: Boost Your Retail Performance

SEO Skill Suite: Tools for Keyword Research, Technical & Backlink Analysis

E-commerce Tools for Optimal Product Management

In Case You Missed It

Teacher detained just after giving birth, handcuffed to bed at hospital

Africa pledges further cooperation with Turkey based on mutual respect

Fatih University wins European Universities Championship

Deputy PM says image of gov’t-Hizmet fight ugly

Fethullah Gulen’s Message for International Day of Peace

Bride, groom detained in bridal car while on way to wedding venue

Gülen’s critics have no supporting evidence, says academic

Copyright 2026 Hizmet News