16 March 2024 , 18:23
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A suspected Turkish gangster has been working in Britain as an Uber driver.
Suleyman Parin is accused of extorting money from a man who had a gun held to his head. He faces extradition to his homeland, where he could get up to 25 years if found guilty.
Parin, who was arrested by Britain’s FBI and has to wear an electronic tag, has been able to register with the taxi app – which has now removed him. We quizzed Parin at his home in Tottenham, North London – where the 55-year-old, who wears a court-ordered electronic tag, is on a curfew.
Speaking near his BMW 5 Series, which had a Transport for London private hire badge, the father of five – who changed his name to Alex Stone in July 2016 – confirmed he worked as a minicab driver. TfL states they “must be of good character” and have an enhanced criminal check.
Parin has to wear an electronic tag (Tim Merry/Mirror Express)Asked whether he was of “good character”, Parin replied: “Of course. My friend, this case 2008, not this country matter.” Questioned on whether TfL is aware of the crimes he is accused of in Turkey, he said: “TfL doesn’t matter.”
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Asked why he does not go to Turkey to stand trial, Parin mentioned the country’s hardman ruler, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying: “I don’t trust… Turkey government because government, you know, Erdogan dictator.”
Turkish prosecutors want Parin extradited for his alleged role in a dispute in 2008 between two men who hired criminal gangs during a feud. Documents say Parin’s home was used to “imprison” Huseyin Yalcin while crooks tried to extort money from him. Parin allegedly forced Yalcin to give him his BMW and “give away 39-40 acres of land and a detached house”.
The papers add: “During the course of this, it is alleged that a gun was held to the head of Huseyin Yalcin.”
Parin is also accused of demanding money from Yalcin’s father to “save” his son. National Crime Agency officers arrested Parin in 2022 after Turkey requested extradition. He is appealing and denies wrongdoing. Parin is said to have lived in Britain since 1986 and held a British passport for 29 years.
Uber said: “We are investigating these allegations, are in touch with TfL and have removed this driver’s access to our platform. All drivers are licensed by a local authority, who carry out checks.”
TfL said: “We are urgently investigating these reports with law enforcement agencies.”
The Home Office said: “We do not routinely comment on individual cases.”