Mathematics professor whose extradition is sought by Turkey brings another medal to Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Patria) – The mathematics professor whose extradition the authorities of the Republic of Turkey are seeking from Bosnia and Herzegovina has once again brought an award to Bosnia and Herzegovina from an international scientific project competition, the Patria agency reports.

Edvin Džidić and Muhamed Sinanović, final-year students at Richmond Park College in Sarajevo, won a silver medal at the international scientific project competition CASTIC 2019 held in Macau, China, while their mentor was mathematics professor Ali Lafcioglu.

Džidić and Sinanović competed in the category of computer science with their project called “HELT”, which has two components: a smart belt that, after being put on, independently determines the waist circumference of the person wearing it and sends that data to the user's smartphone, and an application that, using the measured waist circumference, as well as the height and body weight entered by the user, calculates BMI (body mass index). The application then provides the user with advice on diet and physical activity in accordance with the determined BMI, motivates the user towards a healthier and more active lifestyle, and records any changes in waist circumference each time the belt is worn, creating a graphical display of changes in the user's waist circumference and BMI.

Professor Lafcioglu and his students have previously brought several awards to Bosnia and Herzegovina from prestigious international scientific paper competitions.

Turkish authorities are requesting from official Sarajevo that Lafcioglu, along with several other Turkish nationals living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, be extradited to Turkey due to suspicion of ties with the Hizmet organization of Imam Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkish authorities hold responsible for the attempted military coup in Turkey in 2016.

Several independent intellectuals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as legal experts, believe that the extradition of Lafcioglu and other Turkish nationals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, without respect for international norms, would distance Bosnia and Herzegovina from European values and seriously undermine the already weak rule of law in the country.