Freetown, October 13, 2025 — Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has firmly denied allegations that a suspected drug trafficker arrested in Turkey was in possession of a Sierra Leonean passport.
Minister Kabba’s response comes after Turkish authorities released photos of Abdullah Alp Üstün, also known by the alias “Don Vito,” who was extradited from Dubai to Turkey over alleged involvement in international cocaine trafficking and other organized crimes.
Reports circulating online suggested that Üstün was carrying a Sierra Leonean diplomatic passport, sparking public concern and debate.
In his statement, Kabba stressed that there is no evidence to confirm that the accused criminal held either a diplomatic or ordinary Sierra Leonean passport.
He further emphasized the importance of verification in safeguarding the credibility of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic identity.
“Any such claim would be fully verified if formally brought to my attention,” the minister noted, highlighting his ministry’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the country’s diplomatic system.
The issue has drawn attention to the wider problem of forged passports and fraudulent claims of diplomatic immunity, which can tarnish the reputation of legitimate governments and complicate international relations.
Kabba reminded the public that diplomatic privileges are reserved for officially accredited personnel and cannot be extended to individuals operating outside legal and recognized frameworks.
Üstün, the man at the center of the controversy, is reported to have ties with Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch national described as one of Europe’s most wanted drug kingpins.
Leijdekkers is alleged to have connections in Sierra Leone, though authorities in Freetown have yet to comment publicly on those claims.
For now, the Sierra Leonean government has distanced itself from the reports, maintaining that no national travel documents were involved in the ongoing Turkish case.
