Fugitive bikie boss Mark Buddle to be handed over to Australia: Cyprus interior ministry

Fugitive Comanchero Mark Buddle has been deported to Turkey, Cypriot officials say, to be handed over to Australian authorities. But police and underworld sources say the battle is “a long way from over”.

Northern Cyprus has deported Comanchero bikie boss Mark Buddle to Turkey, where he is being processed before his handover to Australia, officials in the self-declared republic say.

The interior ministry of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus said Buddle received a residence permit in the statelet last August thanks to his “high income”.

But the republic’s police directorate then concluded that Buddle’s presence was “inconvenient in terms of public peace and security”, its interior ministry said in a statement.

Australian authorities are aware that Buddle is now on his way to Turkey and they are expected to attempt to extradite him to Australia.

Once in Turkey Buddle may then try to move to another country before extradition is granted.

Comancheros boss Mark Buddle is frequently described as Australia’s most wanted man.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia has an extradition treaty with Turkey.

Buddle could potentially be forced to stay in Turkey fighting the legal manoeuvrings around any extradition.

If he is returned to Australia it is expected he would be questioned about his alleged involvement in a number of crimes, including murder and drug importations.

The 44-year-old was transferred to the Turkish capital Ankara on Sunday “under the supervision of two police officers”, the statement from Cypriot officials said.

“Legal proceedings are continuing in Ankara for the extradition of Mark Douglas Buddle … to his home country,” the statement said.

Security officials in Turkey gave no immediate comment.

Mark Buddle (left) with fellow Comanchero leader Allan Meehan.

Both police and underworld sources said despite Buddle being in custody the situation was far from over.

“I think he went there (Turkey) the first day he was arrested,” one source said.

“At the end of the day it’s Turkey mate, it’s not Australia, it’s not America.”

It is believed Australian authorities are already in Turkey after knowing of his arrest in Cyprus for days however the Australian Federal Police, who have officers in Lebanon, have refused to comment on Buddle.

“This is a long way from over, but the net is closing in on Buddle,” said a senior Australian law enforcement officer.

Northern Cyprus is viewed as simply being Cyprus by all nations except Turkey, which views it as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

For this reason it has long had a reputation for being a location where underworld figures can be arrested, only to then slip through the cracks.

The Commander of the Australian arm of the Comanchero bikie club fled Australia in 2016, when he was wanted for questioning over the murder of Armaguard security worker Gary Allibon.

Mark Buddle overseas with wife Mel Terwisscha. Date and location is unknown.

Buddle has previously spent extensive time in Turkey with wanted Australian fugitives Hakan Ayik and also Lone Wolf boss Erkan Keskin.

Buddle left Turkey after his fellow fugitives claimed he was bringing too much heat on them.

Recently his wife Mel Terwisscha posted photos of herself on a lavish beachside retreat in Turkey.

The Comanchero boss has a current Australian passport and could try to make his way to another country before Australian authorities can drag him back home.

Last year fellow high-ranking Comanchero Tarek Zahed was refused entry to Turkey, but still managed to find his way to Lebanon with his Australian passport.