US embassy cable - 05BAGHDAD2401

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 002401 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PINS, PTER, TU, XF, Detainees 
SUBJECT: TURKISH EXTRADITION REQUEST FOR MNF-I DETAINEES 
 
 
Classified By: Classified by Political-Military Counselor 
Ronald E. Neumann for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (S) Summary: Post has been informed that the 
Government of Turkey wishes to extradite two security 
internees held by MNF-I inside Iraq, based on GOT 
suspicion of their involvement in terrorist bombings 
in Istanbul.  MNF-I is willing to transfer these 
detainees to Iraqi custody to permit an Iraqi 
extradition to Turkey; the ITG's views are unknown. 
The steps described in paras 5-6 seem, in Post's view, 
to be the most efficient route to extradition should 
the ITG be willing to accede to the Turkish request. 
End Summary. 
 
2.  (S) Post and MNF-I have been informed that the GOT 
is seeking the extradition to Turkey of two detainees 
held by MNF-I inside Iraq, both suspected of criminal 
involvement in bombing attacks in Istanbul: 
 
BURHAN KUS (ISN 166308), aka Burhan Jilal Hussein, DOB 
January 1, 1972, Turkish national; 
 
SADETTIN ADKAS (ISN 16670), aka Mustafa abd Hamad, DOB 
July 1, 1989, Turkish national. 
 
3.  (SBU) As a practical matter, both MNF-I and Iraqi 
concurrence is required for an extradition. MNF-I has 
no objection to transferring custody of these 
detainees to the ITG should the ITG wish to accede to 
a Turkish extradition request. 
 
4.  (SBU) We understand, however, that the GOT has had 
difficulty locating a point-of-contact inside the ITG 
through which to request extradition, despite the 
agreement of both governments that an existing Iraqi- 
Turkish treaty regarding the Iraqi extradition of 
Turkish nationals remains in force. 
 
5.  (SBU) Post recommends that the GOT present a 
formal extradition request to the Iraqi MFA, noting in 
the attached diplomatic note that a courtesy copy of 
the extradition request has been passed to the Chief 
Justice of Iraq. We then suggest that the GOT provide 
a copy of the extradition request to Post, which Post 
will pass directly to the Chief Justice. 
 
6.  (SBU) Should Turkey's extradition request be 
approved by an Iraqi judge, Post will notify MNF-I, 
which will request permission from CENTCOM to transfer 
legal custody of these detainees to the ITG. MNF-I 
will retain physical custody of any detainees approved 
for extradition until arrangements have been made for 
their transport to Turkey. 
 
7.  (SBU) The steps described in paras 5-6 may be 
passed by Embassy Ankara to the GOT if appropriate as 
a procedural recommendation for seeking extradition. 
Satterfield