Details Emerge on US Capture of Fugitive Mother-Son Duo
In a dramatic turn of events, details have surfaced regarding the apprehension of fugitive writer Eylem Tok and her son, Timur Cihantimur, following a fatal traffic accident in Istanbul. The duo fled to the United States 109 days ago, and their extradition hearing is set for June 18.
The Istanbul Incident
Seventeen-year-old Timur Cihantimur, driving his parents' luxury SUV without a driver's license, crashed into three ATVs near the Eyüpsultan district. The accident injured five people, one of whom later succumbed to his injuries. Cihantimur left the scene after his mother, Tok, came to pick him up. The pair then flew to Egypt and subsequently to the U.S.
Interpol Involvement and U.S. Arrest
Florida prosecutors were informed by Turkish authorities through Interpol that Tok and Cihantimur were in Miami, Florida, and could potentially flee to Cuba. Acting on this information, U.S. law enforcement, under the jurisdiction of Florida, concluded that the fugitives could be apprehended in Miami.
Prosecutor Lindsey Maultasch filed a complaint noting that if Tok and Cihantimur became aware of the arrest warrant, they might attempt to flee again. Judge Lisette Reid reviewed the complaint, signed the arrest warrant, and issued a gag order until the arrest was executed. Tok and Cihantimur were ultimately apprehended in Boston, Massachusetts, 2,400 kilometers away from Florida.
Legal Implications and Extradition Hearing
As Tok and her son are held in a U.S. prison, all eyes are on their upcoming court appearance. The hearing scheduled for June 18 will determine their fate. However, complications arise due to Cihantimur's U.S. citizenship, which may prevent his extradition to Türkiye. Despite this, a mutual assistance agreement between Türkiye and the U.S. regarding the return of criminals could play a pivotal role. Article 4 of this agreement states that neither party can compel the extradition of its own citizens, but the U.S. retains discretion over the decision.
Possible Deportation of Eylem Tok
Further complications include Tok's passport, which expires in November 2024. If the extradition process is prolonged, she could find herself in an "invalid travel document" status, potentially leading to her deportation by the U.S.