Sep 16, 2009, 11:00 GMT
Turkish authorities want to extradite Britain's Duchess of York.
Sarah Ferguson has been accused of breaking the country's strict privacy laws when she went undercover to film a secret documentary about the horrific condition in orphanages.
If she is convicted, the 49-year-old former royal could face up to four and a half years in prison.
The Turkish government has lodged a formal request "mutual legal assistance" - the first step in the extradition process - with the Home Office in London.
The request is expected to be granted, forcing Sarah - whose children Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are fifth and sixth in line to the throne - to submit to questioning by British police.
If they have sufficient evidence, Sarah could be arrested and charged and sent to Turkey to face court.
A Home Office source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "We have had a request from the Turkish government for an MLA in relation to the Duchess of York.
"We are now awaiting the necessary paperwork but it seems likely the request will be granted."
Another source added: "If, following a police investigation, charges are laid in Turkey, the Duchess could be arrested and extradited to appear in court in Turkey. That is how international law works."
The documentary - entitled 'Duchess and Daughters: Their Secret Mission' - saw Sarah and Eugenie, 19, don disguises to visit an orphanage housing 700 disabled children.
Inside, they secretly filmed children tied to their beds in the state-run institution, sparking outrage in Turkey.
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