Amnesty International calls on Georgia not to extradite Demirel college manager to Turkey

Amnesty International has called on Georgia not to extradite Mustafa Emer Çabuk, the Demirel college manager, to Turkey. The organization released a lengthy statement in this regard on 28 May, saying that in case of extradition to Turkey, Emer Çabuk will be at risk of torture, inhumane and degrading treatment.

The organization urges the parties concerned to take actions and send corresponding letters addressed to the Georgian Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Justice Minister, Tea Tsulukiani, urging the Georgian authorities to comply with their commitments under the international human rights law not to deport, extradite or otherwise return Mustafa Çabuk to a country where he would be at risk of torture, ill-treatment or other serious human rights violations.

As is pointed out in the Amnesty International’s statement, since 2016, the Turkish government is reported to have pressured its allies to take legal action against suspected supporters of Fethullah Gülen.

Tbilisi City Court placed Mustafa Çabuk under a 3-month pre-extradition arrest on 25 May. The Turkish side seeks to try Mustafa Çabuk under terrorism-related criminal charges. He was arrested in Tbilisi on 24 May, on the Turkish side’s request.

Over 500 citizens have already signed an online petition for Mustafa Çabuk’s release. The petition signees claim that Mustafa Çabuk isn’t guilty and the Turkish authorities’ accusations are groundless. The petition is addressed to the Georgian President, Parliament Chairman and Justice Minister.