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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Czechs release Syrian Kurdish politician, angering Turkey

Policemen escort Salih Muslim, former co-chair of the Democratic Union Party, or PYD, to a court room for a custody hearing in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018. (Petr David Josek / Associated Press)
Associated Press

PRAGUE – A Czech court ruled on Tuesday that the former leader of a Syrian Kurdish party detained by authorities in Prague will be released from detention despite Turkey’s request for his extradition.

Salih Muslim, former co-chair of the Democratic Union Party, or PYD, was detained in the Czech capital of Prague on Saturday based on a Turkish request for his arrest.

According to Muslim’s Czech lawyer Miroslav Krutina, Prague’s Municipal Court ruled to release Muslim. The court officials did not immediately comment on the hearing, which was held behind close door.

Turkey considers the PYD a “terrorist group” linked to outlawed Kurdish insurgents fighting within Turkey’s own borders. Muslim was put on Turkey’s most-wanted list earlier in February, with a $1 million reward for his capture.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu described Tuesday’s decision as a “scandal” while Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said it would have a negative effect on ties between Turkey and the Czech Republic.

“This decision very clearly amounts to support for terrorist groups,” Bozdag said.

Ahead of the Prague ruling, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the court’s decision would be a “test” for the Czech Republic on its sensitivity toward the fight against terrorism and its solidarity toward a NATO ally.

“However, whatever the outcome (court ruling), these terrorist ringleaders will not be able to walk free, we will continue to make life unbearable for them,” Yildirim said.

The PYD is the leading political Kurdish force in northern Syria, and Muslim remains highly influential in the party, even after stepping down as co-chair last year.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched an incursion into northern Syria, seeking to rout the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia, known as the People’s Protection Units or YPG, from the enclave of Afrin. The YPG is the armed wing of the PYD.