Turkey’s most wanted
Warrant from home country may disrupt Kanter’s season
canceled his travel documents. The government threatened to extradite The international warrant issued him to Turkey, where for Enes Kanter’s arrest he would’ve been imprisoned. has, thus far, not hindered his ability to play basketball. At the time, Kanter was
Despite his passport being on a world tour for his charitable revoked by the Turkish foundation. He also government, Kanter made had to flee Indonesia while arrangements to play in being sought by the country’s Canada against the Raptors, army and secret service, and was cleared to travel to all under the direction Mexico City for a game last of the Turkish government. season before he was traded He was eventually released from the Thunder. in Romania because
But Europe could be a different of support from the Department story. The Knicks are of Homeland Security, scheduled for a regular-season the State Department, the game in London on Jan. OKC Thunder, the NBA and 17, and the last time Kanter the players union. Three was across the Atlantic months later, Kanter was Ocean he was detained and traded to the Knicks. nearly imprisoned. He has not left North
The Knicks center told America since. the Daily News he’s unsure “It was ugly,” Kanter said yet whether he’ll have to of his last trip overseas. “So I stay in the U.S. The Turkish don’t know what’s going to government issued the arrest happen. warrant in May of last “So we’re just going to year and Kanter faces more have to wait and see. If I than four years in prison. don’t go, I’ll just watch the
“We haven’t talked to anybody game.” yet. But of course I Kanter has been a supporter would like to go out there of Fethullah Gulen, and play, it’s my team,” he an opponent of Erdogan said. “I would love to go out who has been living in exile there and help the team win. in the United States since But I have no idea.” 1999. Gulen was accused of
The Knicks and the NBA orchestrating a failed coup have time to assess this situation attempt in Turkey in 2016, and determine a solution, but he denies any involvement. but it’s obviously quite dicey. On one hand, Kanter Kanter’s father is also doesn’t own a valid passport wanted in Turkey for “membership and is being charged as a terrorist in a terror group.” in his home country of “I’m not a criminal or a Turkey. On the other hand, radical. I’m not ‘dangerous Kanter’s biggest crime is ,’” Kanter wrote in a Time speaking freely – specifically Magazine op-ed. “I’m a human against Turkey’s president, being with opinions Recep Tayyip Erdog and beliefs that I have a an, who has tightened right to express. Erdogan his authoritarian grip on the does not respect that right country by arresting those in me or anyone else, and is who don’t fall in line. willing to crush anyone who
Kanter, who has called criticizes him.” Erdogan “the Hitler of our The Knicks last played in century,” among other London in 2015, losing to things, was held at an airport the Bucks. They also went to in Romania last spring Italy for preseason games in because the Turkish government 2010.