Swedish Gang Leader Ismail Abdo Detained in Turkey

The Swedish gang leader Ismail "Jordgubben" Abdo has been detained in Turkey, reports SVT with reference to a court in Istanbul.

» Published: July 08 2025 at 18:10

Swedish Gang Leader Ismail Abdo Detained in Turkey
Photo: Interpol/TT

Share this article

It was on July 4 that about 20 people, including several Swedish gang criminals, including Ismail Abdo, were arrested in a major operation against criminal networks in Turkey.

At Tuesday's detention hearing, Abdo and several others were brought before the court as suspects in an investigation into international narcotics smuggling and money laundering, writes SVT.

Eleven people, including Ismail Abdo, have been detained and seven others released with restrictions, according to SVT.

Cooperation with Sweden

The raids, which took place in several cities, were carried out in cooperation with Swedish and Norwegian police. In a post on X and afterwards, Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya thanked the Swedish and Norwegian police authorities for their support.

These are people who are of great interest to Sweden, said Mats Berggren, acting deputy head of the police's National Operational Department, Noa, to Aftonbladet on July 4.

That Abdo was one of those arrested was later confirmed by prosecutor Daniel Jonsson. According to Turkish media, he was arrested in the city of Adana.

"Swedish criminals who think they can hide abroad have good reason to now feel anxious - because you cannot hide", commented Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The Moderate Party).

Serious crimes

Abdo is detained in his absence, suspected of serious crimes in Sweden, including several narcotics offenses and incitement to attempted murder.

On Monday, eleven people were sentenced in a case involving a record-sized cocaine seizure of 1.3 tons in Nynäshamn last year. Ismail Abdo is suspected of having organized the transport.

He will not be extradited to Sweden because he is a Turkish citizen, writes the Prosecution Authority in a press release.

As recently as the spring of 2024, Abdo was arrested in connection with a traffic check in Turkey. That time he was released on bail - despite being internationally wanted by Sweden.

Loading related articles...

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers
Loading related posts...