Removal Costs Misrepresented
Media Release - 19 January 2006
Some media reporting today about the intended removal of Ali Beyazkilinc from Australia has erroneously referred to Australian Government expenditure associated with 140 seats on an airplane which would have carried Mr Beyazkilinc had he been removed from Australia as was planned.
The allocation of a block of unsold seats by the airline to facilitate the removal of Mr Beyazkilinc was a decision of the carrier and did not incur any expenditure by the Australian Government.
Only six seats were purchased by the Australian Government for members of the escort team and Mr Beyazkilinc for his removal to Istanbul.