Ankara to extradite Israeli fugitive captured in Turkish Cyprus

A fugitive wanted in Israel on charges of organized crime and human trafficking for purposes of prostitution has been captured in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and is soon to be extradited by Ankara to Tel Aviv, Turkish daily Milliyet reported yesterday. The initial extradition of the fugitive to Turkey, identified as Avigay Hasid, was ordered by a Turkish Cypriot judge after his capture in May by Turkish Cypriot police. Hasid was brought to Turkey last week and is reportedly soon due to be extradited to Israel. Hasid's imminent extradition, seen as a goodwill gesture from Turkey to Israel, comes as Turkey and Israel struggle to find ways to normalize their relations. Hasid has been wanted by Israel since February 2009. After determining that he had been residing in the TRNC since July 2010, Israeli authorities contacted their Turkish counterparts for his extradition since Israel has no formal relations with the TRNC. The Turkish Cypriot state is recognized only by Ankara. Hasid was arrested by TRNC police after a request to that effect was conveyed by Turkey. Since his deportation from the TRNC, he is being held at the foreigners department of the Istanbul Police Department.