Terrorists don’t usually come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, most ISIS terrorists and their sympathizers fit a certain anti-social and unloved mold predictable from miles away if you pay attention.
Actually, it stems from economically or religiously frustrated individuals who truly despise the idea of America and what it stands for — freedom. It’s a deep hatred and bitterness hard to diffuse because they’re so incomprehensible about other ideologies.
But it’s not everyday when a prominent NBA player – with no obvious terrorist personality signs – is wanted for involvement with a terrorist group in Turkey.
USA Today reported:
“Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter faces an arrest warrant issued by the Turkish government over allegedly ‘being a member of a terrorist organization’ blamed for failed coup last year, a newspaper in Turkey reported on Friday.
Turkish prosecutors have sought an international red notice — a request for foreign governments to locate and arrest an individual — from Interpol, according to the Daily Sabah. Interpol officials would have to approve the red notice — which is hardly a given — and even if one is issued, Kanter’s arrest and extradition from the U.S. appears to be unlikely.
Under federal law, an Interpol red notice alone isn’t sufficient grounds for an arrest. Turkey would need to submit a diplomatic request for Kanter’s apprehension under the terms of the current extradition treaty between the two countries.
Turkey is then required to also produce not only the arrest warrant, but also a statement of facts and evidence to justify an extradition.
‘Countries have abused the red notice system,’ Richard Kaplan, an international law expert and partner of the California law firm Kaplan Marino, told USA TODAY Sports. “He has rights here. There will be due process.’
Under terms of the Turkey-U.S. extradition treaty, somebody cannot be extradited for a ‘political offense.’
Kanter has been a vocal critic of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and took to Twitter to mock his arrest warrant on Friday, telling Turkish authorities ‘don’t waste your breath.’”
Kanter’s response to the story is all in the emojis.
Yakalayamazsıııın!!!
Hahaha ??
Boşuna yorulmayın.
Hepinizin o çirkin, nefret dolu suratlarınıza tükürmeye zaten kendim geleceğim. pic.twitter.com/hw0LUp4MNo— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) May 26, 2017
Turkey has officially canceled his passport and now he’s seeking permanent citizenship in the U.S. And heartbreakingly, his entire family – including parents and siblings – has completely cut ties with him altogether.
Needless to say, Kanter doesn’t seem very concerned, which quite frankly, is probably what an innocent person would do if they were accused of such heinous crimes.
Sports Illustrated noted:
“Further, any attempt to extradite Kanter would take months and possibly years. The request and accompanying materials would undergo a lengthy and thorough review by the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Justice Department and potentially a federal magistrate judge. Kanter and his attorneys would be able to offer defenses along the way.
Interpol likely not a worry for Kanter Although Turkey’s capacity to compel Kanter to face charges in Turkey is greatly limited, it appears Turkey will petition for assistance from the International Criminal Police Organization, better known as Interpol.
Interpol is the world’s largest international police organization, with 190 member nations. Turkey and the U.S. are two of those member nations.
Interpol is sometimes thought of as an international police force. Such a description is incorrect. Interpol is not a standalone law enforcement entity. There are no “Interpol police officers” and Interpol lacks the capacity to issue an international arrest warrant.”
Thankfully, Turkey’s extradition process is complex, and unless they have hard concrete evidence they can show the United States in regards to his alleged ties to a terrorist group, maybe Kanter will inevitably get what he wanted – a U.S. citizenship.