Turkish Refugee Family Detained in Kenya Amid Fears of Forced Deportation Over Alleged Gülen Links
A Turkish refugee and his family have been detained in Kenya, sparking urgent concerns from human rights groups over the risk of forced return to Turkey, where they could face torture or persecution due to alleged ties to the Gülen movement.
Mustafa Güngör, an IT manager at Light Academy Schools in Kenya since 2011, was arrested along with his wife Zeliha, their daughters Seniha Betül and Zeynep, and his in-laws Zümrüt and Salim. The detention occurred on December 21, 2025, with Güngör booked under OB 02 by the Anti-Terror Police Unit of Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Amnesty International Kenya raised the alarm in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the serious risk of refoulement – the forced return of refugees to a country where they face harm.
“We have reliably learnt the Türkiye authorities sought his arrest through a Mutual Legal Assistance request to the office of the Attorney General,” the group said. “He is at serious risk of refoulement to Türkiye, where he could be subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, or ill-treatment.”
Amnesty added: “Kenya has an obligation under international law not to return anyone to a country where they face persecution or harm.”
The organisation called on Kenyan authorities, including the DCI, to respect the principle of non-refoulement, ensure due process, and allow access to legal representation and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). “Our officers are currently at the DCI Upper Hill with family lawyers,” they noted.
Güngör holds a valid refugee card issued in December 2024, underscoring his protected status in Kenya.
The Gülen movement, inspired by the late cleric Fethullah Gülen, has been a target of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since 2013 corruption probes implicated his inner circle. Erdoğan designated it a terrorist organisation in 2016, blaming it for a failed coup attempt that year – a claim the movement denies.
Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) has admitted to forcibly returning over 100 alleged Gülen affiliates from abroad using tactics including renditions.
This is not the first such case in Kenya. In October 2024, four Turkish refugees under UN protection were abducted by masked men in Nairobi and deported to Turkey, despite international safeguards. The Kenyan government later confirmed the repatriation, citing an extradition request and assurances of dignified treatment from Turkish authorities.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei defended that decision, stating Turkey had promised the returnees would be handled “with dignity in line with national and international legal obligations”.
The move drew widespread criticism, including from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, for violating non-refoulement under the 1951 Refugee Convention and Kenya’s own 2021 Refugee Act.
Earlier incidents include the 2021 detention and deportation of Turkish businessman Harun Aydin from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport on terrorism financing claims, without formal charges.
Human rights advocates warn these cases reflect growing pressure on Kenya from Turkey, amid strengthening bilateral ties, potentially undermining refugee protections.
As of December 21, 2025, Güngör remains in custody, with Amnesty and other groups urging swift intervention to prevent another forced return. The case highlights ongoing tensions between international refugee obligations and diplomatic relations.
Also Read: Christmas Drama as Police Receive Formal Notice Over Monday March to State House
Turkish Refugee Family Detained in Kenya Amid Fears of Forced Deportation Over Alleged Gülen Links