Bangladesh, Sept. 30 -- Italys headline arrest of Turkish crime boss Barış (also known as Boris) Boyun and its attempt to return him to his native country has hit the nations toughest legal obstacle: Judges cannot approve extradition if there is a real risk of torture or degrading treatment in Turkey.

That obligation, reaffirmed by Italys Supreme Court of Cassation (Corte Suprema di Cassazione) in an April ruling, means Boyun is likely to remain under Italian judicial oversight while the courts conduct a meticulous review of evidence and human rights concerns, relying on independent reports rather than assurances from Turkish authorities.

Established crime bosses like Boyun and other notorious Turks who fled to Europe to escap...