Duchess of York escapes Turkey extradition
The Home Office has refused a request for the extradition of the Duchess of York after she was charged with criminal offences in relation to her role in an ITV documentary on orphanages.
The Duchess and an ITV1 film crew shot footage of five children at an Ankara orphanage without their permission, an act which prosecutors deem constitutes a violation of their privacy.
If convicted the Duchess faces up to 22 and a half years in jail.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Under UK extradition law a judge must order the discharge of [an extradition request] if it is not an offence under UK law and in the country requesting extradition. In this case there is no offence in UK law so there will be no extradition.”
The Duchess now faces being unable to return to Turkey.
Duchess and Daughters: Their Secret Mission first aired in 2008 and caused a diplomatic row between London and Ankara as Turkey accused Britain of undermining its EU membership bid.