Justice Minister Warns Criminals After Gang Leader's Arrest in Turkey

Gang leader Ismail Abdo has been arrested in Turkey. Now, the Justice Minister warns others hiding abroad.

– You are not safe anywhere. You will be found, arrested, and prosecuted, he says in a statement.

Gang leader Ismail Abdo has evaded justice abroad for several years.

But on the night of Friday, he was arrested along with several others in Turkey.

When or how he might face trial for the crimes he is suspected of committing in Sweden is unclear.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer describes the arrest as the result of deepened cooperation between the countries.

Warning: You Are Not Safe

– The person has long been suspected of directing and organizing serious crime in and against Sweden. The arrest is the result of determined police and legal work, and enhanced cooperation between Sweden and Turkey. I want to extend a special thanks to the Turkish police for this successful operation, he says in a statement.

He sends a warning to other Swedish criminals hiding abroad.

– The message to all Swedish criminals hiding abroad is clear and straightforward: You are not safe anywhere. You will be found, arrested, and prosecuted. And you will lose your assets, says Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer.

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya also extends thanks for the cooperation.

“I want to thank the Swedish and Norwegian police authorities for their support of the operations,” he writes in a post on X.

According to the Turkish minister, a large quantity of drugs was found during the operation. Assets worth around 360 million kronor are reported to have been seized in the operation.