A female teacher (Rebecca Richardson) is facing extradition from the UK to Turkey. She has given an interview to The Telegraph but I will try to summarise her case.
After a long stint of international teaching she was accused of insult, assault and sexual assault by a child and her mother. This was back in 2019.
An investigation began and bail terms were dropped because of lack of evidence and she legally returned to her home country. (Assistant with her at all times, windows in class, no other allegations or witness to prove the claims)
However, she was indicted and her legal team have claimed she has not been mentally strong enough to endure detention over a long period of time if requested back.
The Turkish consented to a statement via video link which could have meant the case could be tried. But UK authorities refused. (Criminal case has lasted over 6 years)
There is medical evidence and opinions from both sides which could be abuse or a childhood health issue.
A red notice was issued and she was arrested in April 2024 at her home.
The extradition case has nothing to do with the evidence in the criminal case it is based around ECHR articles. Turkey is a member of Council of Europe and does not need to provide prima facie evidence to extradite UK nationals. Her case in London is focussing on:-
Is it a fair trial?
Will she face inhumane or degradingtreatment/prisons?
Does she have a right to a family life?
There's more if you google news articles to balance your opinion.
We tend to think this will never happen to us, yet I keep hearing of people at home and overseas in caring professions where allegations have occurred and it takes a long time to finalise investigations and legal proceedings.
I'm not naming school or discussing her innocence, character etc. (hey there, moderators) but awareness of safety is necessary. Safeguarding for students and staff alike. Neil Bantelman sent schools into a frenzy of safety and precaution. This case should, too.
Edit: think this link is free https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sund ... 7045115120
Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
Last edited by NellyPB on Mon May 12, 2025 7:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
FYI have posted this on Reddit, as well.
Re: Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
This is honestly terrifying. Makes you realize how vulnerable anyone working abroad can be.
-
Surposinin1968
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:21 pm
Re: Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
NellyPB wrote:
> A female teacher (Rebecca Richardson) is facing extradition from the UK to
> Turkey. She has given an interview to The Telegraph but I will try to
> summarise her case.
>
> After a long stint of international teaching she was accused of insult,
> assault and sexual assault by a child and her mother. This was back in
> 2019.
>
> An investigation began and bail terms were dropped because of lack of
> evidence and she legally returned to her home country. (Assistant with her
> at all times, windows in class, no other allegations or witness to prove
> the claims)
>
> However, she was indicted and her legal team have claimed she has not been
> mentally strong enough to endure detention over a long period of time if
> requested back.
>
> The Turkish consented to a statement via video link which could have meant
> the case could be tried. But UK authorities refused. (Criminal case has
> lasted over 6 years)
>
> There is medical evidence and opinions from both sides which could be abuse
> or a childhood health issue.
>
> A red notice was issued and she was arrested in April 2024 at her home.
>
> The extradition case has nothing to do with the evidence in the criminal
> case it is based around ECHR articles. Turkey is a member of Council of
> Europe and does not need to provide prima facie evidence to extradite UK
> nationals. Her case in London is focussing on:-
>
> Is it a fair trial?
>
> Will she face inhumane or degradingtreatment/prisons?
>
> Does she have a right to a family life?
>
> There's more if you google news articles to balance your opinion.
>
> We tend to think this will never happen to us, yet I keep hearing of people
> at home and overseas in caring professions where allegations have occurred
> and it takes a long time to finalise investigations and legal proceedings.
>
> I'm not naming school or discussing her innocence, character etc. (hey
> there, moderators) but awareness of safety is necessary. Safeguarding for
> students and staff alike. Neil Bantelman sent schools into a frenzy of
> safety and precaution. This case should, too.
>
> Edit: think this link is free
> https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sund ... 7045115120
This situation is genuinely alarming, as it underscores the vulnerabilities faced by individuals working abroad, especially when they lack access to local support or legal safeguards
> A female teacher (Rebecca Richardson) is facing extradition from the UK to
> Turkey. She has given an interview to The Telegraph but I will try to
> summarise her case.
>
> After a long stint of international teaching she was accused of insult,
> assault and sexual assault by a child and her mother. This was back in
> 2019.
>
> An investigation began and bail terms were dropped because of lack of
> evidence and she legally returned to her home country. (Assistant with her
> at all times, windows in class, no other allegations or witness to prove
> the claims)
>
> However, she was indicted and her legal team have claimed she has not been
> mentally strong enough to endure detention over a long period of time if
> requested back.
>
> The Turkish consented to a statement via video link which could have meant
> the case could be tried. But UK authorities refused. (Criminal case has
> lasted over 6 years)
>
> There is medical evidence and opinions from both sides which could be abuse
> or a childhood health issue.
>
> A red notice was issued and she was arrested in April 2024 at her home.
>
> The extradition case has nothing to do with the evidence in the criminal
> case it is based around ECHR articles. Turkey is a member of Council of
> Europe and does not need to provide prima facie evidence to extradite UK
> nationals. Her case in London is focussing on:-
>
> Is it a fair trial?
>
> Will she face inhumane or degradingtreatment/prisons?
>
> Does she have a right to a family life?
>
> There's more if you google news articles to balance your opinion.
>
> We tend to think this will never happen to us, yet I keep hearing of people
> at home and overseas in caring professions where allegations have occurred
> and it takes a long time to finalise investigations and legal proceedings.
>
> I'm not naming school or discussing her innocence, character etc. (hey
> there, moderators) but awareness of safety is necessary. Safeguarding for
> students and staff alike. Neil Bantelman sent schools into a frenzy of
> safety and precaution. This case should, too.
>
> Edit: think this link is free
> https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sund ... 7045115120
This situation is genuinely alarming, as it underscores the vulnerabilities faced by individuals working abroad, especially when they lack access to local support or legal safeguards
Re: Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
The extradition case verdict will be given, 25th June.
Both parties may appeal so this could run for another 18 months due to back logs in court cases in the UK.
Remember, even if Rebecca is not extradited, the criminal case in Türkiye will still proceed and all legal means of appeal in their legal system have to occur until she is able to have her case considered by the ECHR.
This is years and years of a somebody’s life.
The obvious criticism is why she just never returned? For Rebecca it seems she did not want to revoke her rights as a UK citizen and sought support from her family. As international teachers we are foreigners and not citizens of our host countries.
Both parties may appeal so this could run for another 18 months due to back logs in court cases in the UK.
Remember, even if Rebecca is not extradited, the criminal case in Türkiye will still proceed and all legal means of appeal in their legal system have to occur until she is able to have her case considered by the ECHR.
This is years and years of a somebody’s life.
The obvious criticism is why she just never returned? For Rebecca it seems she did not want to revoke her rights as a UK citizen and sought support from her family. As international teachers we are foreigners and not citizens of our host countries.
Response
More accurately ITs are guests in foreign countries, but how would being a Turkish citizen have made any difference in this case? Its Turkiye, but even if it wasnt, say it was the UK, how would it be any different, a nicer prison, a less stressful detention facility? I dont see any meaningful differences in the prosecution of such a case between jurisdictions. Its the word of a student and a parent vs. an IT and an aide, the forensics could go either way depending on interpretation (someone maybe abused the child but as to who is a quagmire). The whole fragility and detention is a red herring, should only mentally and physically fit individuals be held accountable for their actions (assuming the IT is guilty).
The only real lesson in this is dont go to Turkiye.
The only real lesson in this is dont go to Turkiye.
Re: Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
@PsyGuy
With all respect to survivors out there, this case might not just a mother and daughter’s word against a teacher and TA. These cases need to be sensitively and respectfully addressed but also investigated thoroughly. You cannot send what could be an innocent person to prison just because the allegation involves such a delicate subject area. Head over heart has to prevail.
If I can lay out points heard in court as plainly as as possible:
-family reported case 3 days after alleged event
-two medical exams in 24 hours. Second report had further injuries/issues.Defendant had ceased contact with child days before both exams were made.
-Mother’s claims were different to child.
-Evidence collected for DNA were from an incident at home days later and not from school.
-Two named children who were also alleged to have been abused could not corroborate the allegations.
-The alleged incidents occurred in an open plan building in a shared bathroom and dining area. There was a high volume of staff, parents and children present.
-Parents (who are claimants in the case) accused Richardson of fleeing after she left the country when her bail was lifted due to lack of evidence in the case.
-Richardson did not return to Türkiye stating mental Health issues. Therefore she has not attended hearings or had her DNA sample taken.
-Rebecca’s Turkish lawyers have attempted to have a statement heard by video link, in an Embassy and by law enforcement.The severity of the alleged crime, means her appeals were rejected.
However, this is my peeve. If she has been arrested in UK she would have automatically had a DNA sample taken. Why can’t this profile be shared with Türkiye? Is this me being a really naive and unscientific person?
With all respect to survivors out there, this case might not just a mother and daughter’s word against a teacher and TA. These cases need to be sensitively and respectfully addressed but also investigated thoroughly. You cannot send what could be an innocent person to prison just because the allegation involves such a delicate subject area. Head over heart has to prevail.
If I can lay out points heard in court as plainly as as possible:
-family reported case 3 days after alleged event
-two medical exams in 24 hours. Second report had further injuries/issues.Defendant had ceased contact with child days before both exams were made.
-Mother’s claims were different to child.
-Evidence collected for DNA were from an incident at home days later and not from school.
-Two named children who were also alleged to have been abused could not corroborate the allegations.
-The alleged incidents occurred in an open plan building in a shared bathroom and dining area. There was a high volume of staff, parents and children present.
-Parents (who are claimants in the case) accused Richardson of fleeing after she left the country when her bail was lifted due to lack of evidence in the case.
-Richardson did not return to Türkiye stating mental Health issues. Therefore she has not attended hearings or had her DNA sample taken.
-Rebecca’s Turkish lawyers have attempted to have a statement heard by video link, in an Embassy and by law enforcement.The severity of the alleged crime, means her appeals were rejected.
However, this is my peeve. If she has been arrested in UK she would have automatically had a DNA sample taken. Why can’t this profile be shared with Türkiye? Is this me being a really naive and unscientific person?
Re: Long Time International Teacher Faces Extradition for Alleged Abuse
Also @PsyGuy
Are all jurisdictions the same? The little I know of both countries systems is one has a judge only trial, the other has a jury. I’m sure both have their failures but where would you prefer to be detained or on bail? Check it out. How about charging levels and evidence tests. Let’s throw in social and child service checks (a question mark in this affair, too).
Those pesky human rights do allow people a right to a private and family life. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty and this has rolled on for years and due process could make it continue for some more. According to her article she has already lost her father and she would likely not see her mother again if she was to return.
I’m leaving it there, but I’d not wish this on any teacher or school, especially with such weak evidence as the media about it suggests.
Are all jurisdictions the same? The little I know of both countries systems is one has a judge only trial, the other has a jury. I’m sure both have their failures but where would you prefer to be detained or on bail? Check it out. How about charging levels and evidence tests. Let’s throw in social and child service checks (a question mark in this affair, too).
Those pesky human rights do allow people a right to a private and family life. You are presumed innocent until proven guilty and this has rolled on for years and due process could make it continue for some more. According to her article she has already lost her father and she would likely not see her mother again if she was to return.
I’m leaving it there, but I’d not wish this on any teacher or school, especially with such weak evidence as the media about it suggests.