London, Jan 13 (ANI): A Turkish court has charged Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, for secretly filming in a state-run orphanage. She could face 22 years in jail if convicted.
The charges relate to an undercover documentary Ferguson made with ITV in 2008 to expose 'appalling' conditions in state run institutions.
However, the Home Office in UK said that the case was closed.
"The Duchess of York has fully co-operated with both the Turkish and British authorities at all times on this issue," the Daily Mail quoted a spokesman for the Duchess as saying.
"British ministers refused to accede to the further requests for legal assistance from Turkey. From a UK perspective, the Duchess has been told by the Home Office that the case is closed.
"The action today reported by the Turkish authorities is news to all," he said.
The court accused Prince Andrew's former wife in absentia of 'going against the law in acquiring footage and violating privacy' of five children.
She faces a maximum term of 22 and-a-half years in prison if convicted. No trial date has been set.
But it is unlikely that any attempt to extradite the Duchess would succeed - encouraging news for her as Turkish jails are known for their harsh conditions.
"As it stands, she will not be extradited. The Turkish authorities have no power to do so," a source from the Home Office was quoted as saying.
"A judge is required to refuse an extradition request if there is no equivalent offence in British law," a spokesman from the department said. (ANI)
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