The United States Department of Justice has declined to comment on whether it will pursue the extradition of senior Hamas leaders reportedly residing in Turkey
The issue has drawn scrutiny as reports suggest these individuals, implicated in terror acts including the killing and kidnapping of American citizens, relocated to Turkey after being expelled from Qatar earlier this month.
In a written inquiry sent to the DOJ, To Vima asked whether the U.S. intends to invoke its extradition treaty with Turkey to hold these figures accountable. A DOJ representative offered a terse response: “We will decline to comment at this time.”
Among the Hamas leaders that reportedly moved to Turkey is Khaled Meshaal, the former leader of Hamas’ political bureau. He has been under U.S. indictment together with five other senior Hamas leaders since September 2024 for alleged support of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanction-evasion activities.
“The charges relate to the defendants’ central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 (the October 7 Hamas Massacres), involving the murders and kidnappings of countless innocent civilians, including American citizens,” the DOJ press release stated.
A follow-up question by To Vima seeking clarification on whether the DOJ is monitoring the reports or working to verify the presence of the indicted Hamas leaders in Turkey went unanswered. The silence from the DOJ comes at a sensitive moment, as the Biden administration navigates complex relationships in the Middle East and within NATO.
At the State Department, spokesperson Matthew Miller recently reinforced Washington’s position: “We do not believe that the leaders of Hamas, who are brutal terrorists responsible for the murder of individuals from all around the world, including United States citizens, should be given safe haven anywhere in the world.” However, Miller deferred questions about specific extradition efforts to the Justice Department.
The controversy arises from recent U.S. pressure on Qatar to expel senior Hamas officials after the group refused to engage in hostage negotiations during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
For over a decade, Doha hosted Hamas leaders at the request of the United States, as noted by CIA Director David Petraeus in 2012. However, their presence grew increasingly controversial, exposing Qatar to criticism and security risks over time.
Many of those leaders have since relocated to Turkey, according to reports that neither Ankara nor Washington has confirmed. Turkey’s relationship with Hamas has frequently strained its ties with Western allies, and its willingness to provide refuge to the group’s leadership has drawn criticism.
However, the lack of a formal U.S. extradition request underscores the complexity of its ties with Turkey, a NATO ally with a critical role in regional stability and security.
Legal experts note that invoking the extradition treaty would require not only solid evidence linking the individuals to crimes prosecutable under U.S. law but also a willingness by Turkey to cooperate. Ankara’s historic support for Hamas complicates this possibility.
As questions about Hamas’ presence in Turkey grow louder, the DOJ’s reticence leaves unanswered whether the U.S. is preparing any legal action to address the situation. For now, the Department of Justice’s response remains one of silence, reflecting the broader challenges of navigating Washington’s relationships in a volatile region.
