INTERPOL arrests Turkish fugitive wanted for rape in Durban

INTERPOL South Africa has arrested a 40-year-old Turkish fugitive wanted on rape, sexual assault and kidnapping charges after investigators tracked him to Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal.

Turkish authorities want the man to stand trial over allegations that he kidnapped his then-fiancée and raped her over several days in 2010.

The INTERPOL South Africa Fugitive Investigation Team arrested him during a coordinated operation on Thursday, 1 October. Crime Intelligence, Isipingo police and private security supported the operation.

Turkish fugitive wanted on rape charges

Turkish authorities want the suspect to face charges of rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The allegations were reported to the Eskişehir Police Department in Türkiye.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Amanda van Wyk said information supplied by Turkish authorities showed that the alleged crimes date back to 2010.

The man allegedly kidnapped his then-fiancée, who was 22 at the time, before raping her over several days.

Police said he also allegedly assaulted the woman by repeatedly striking her head against a wall.

The attack allegedly left her with permanent physical and psychological injuries.

INTERPOL tracks suspect to Isipingo

The suspect allegedly fled Türkiye after authorities completed their investigation.

Investigators eventually tracked him to Isipingo. “He was subsequently traced to Isipingo in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa,” Van Wyk said.

Turkish authorities then submitted an extradition request to South Africa.

Van Wyk said INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Pretoria obtained and executed a warrant under Section 5(1)(b), leading to his arrest.

The man appeared in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 2 October. “The fugitive appeared before the Umlazi Magistrates’ Court on 2 October 2026, facing an extradition application by the government of the Republic of Türkiye to the Republic of South Africa,” Van Wyk said.

The court must now deal with the application to extradite him to Türkiye, where authorities want him to stand trial.

Second Turkish fugitive arrested in South Africa

The Isipingo arrest came days after INTERPOL South Africa arrested another Turkish fugitive in Cape Town.

Police arrested the former primary school principal on 21 September.

Turkish authorities want him on charges of sexual assault, kidnapping and intimidation involving a nine-year-old child.

He has since appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court.

Van Wyk said SAPS continues to strengthen cooperation with international law-enforcement agencies through INTERPOL to trace wanted people who cross borders to evade justice.