Political refugee Mehmet Toprak, who was deported from Switzerland to Turkey, was reportedly detained upon his arrival in Istanbul and later imprisoned. He was subsequently transferred to Silivri Prison.
According to information shared by his relatives, Mehmet Toprak was taken into custody by security forces immediately after arriving in Turkey. Following police procedures, he was brought before a court, which ordered his detention.
The incident has reignited debate over the assessments made by Swiss authorities during the deportation process, in which they stated that “there was no direct risk of arrest in Turkey.”
According to available information, legal appeals were filed against the rejection and deportation decision issued by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) regarding Mehmet Toprak. However, the Federal Administrative Court in St. Gallen reportedly upheld the ruling. The court was said to have concluded that his return to Turkey would not pose a serious risk.
Toprak’s relatives, however, stated that despite the ongoing appeal process, the deportation was carried out swiftly. Allegations also emerged that he had been subjected to physical violence prior to his deportation. People close to him claimed that bruises and signs of assault were visible on his face.
So far, no public statement has been issued by either Swiss or Turkish authorities regarding these allegations.
Refugee solidarity networks and human rights advocates operating in Switzerland point out that rejection decisions concerning political asylum seekers from Turkey and Kurdistan have increased in recent years.
Human rights organizations state that some individuals deported on the grounds of “lack of risk” or “lack of credibility” later face detention, imprisonment, and ill-treatment in Turkey.
Human rights groups also warn that returning individuals who face risks of torture, ill-treatment, or political persecution could result in serious violations of international law.
