Istanbul – November 15, 2025

Ahmet Bereket, Chairman of the "Aksaçlılar" (The White Beards) Association, has strongly reacted to the decision by Istanbul's 16th and 18th Administrative Courts to extradite Mahemuti Anayeti and Aierken Abuduwaili, who fled from China. Bereket stated that this process carries a vital risk, emphasizing that Uyghurs face systematic oppression, arbitrary detention, and ill-treatment in China. He warned that the extradition could lead to irreversible and grave consequences.

Bereket highlighted the probability of Uyghurs facing ill-treatment, oppression, and the absence of fair trial guarantees in China. Referring to the explicit provisions of international law, he stated, “When the risk is so evident, implementing the extradition decision is unacceptable.”

"TURKEY MUST FULFILL ITS HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY"

Bereket pointed out that Turkey has historically been a sanctuary for oppressed nations and continued his words as follows:

"The Uyghur people have a special place in the conscience of our nation. The Uyghurs are one of the communities with the strongest cultural and historical ties to Turkey. Our historical, cultural, and emotional bonds compel us to be more sensitive on this issue. Turkey has always stood with the oppressed; it must act with the same sense of responsibility today. We expect all relevant institutions of our state to re-evaluate this extradition decision and any potential future extradition decisions."