05 March 2018•Update: 05 March 2018
ANKARA
Turkey has made a demand to Germany to arrest and extradite the former co-leader of PYD/PKK terrorist group Salih Muslum, according to Turkish diplomatic sources on Monday.
Muslum faces an Ankara high court verdict against himself for his role in the deadly 2016 terrorist attack in the capital apart from charges of damaging national unity and integrity, deliberate murder, damaging public property and transferring dangerous materials.
The March 13, 2016, attack at Guven park in Kizilay --a popular shopping area-- had been carried out using an explosives-laden vehicle, which left 37 people dead and dozens others injured.
The court had also issued an arrest warrant for Muslum, and asked the Interpol to issue a red notice against him.
Turkey sent the documents regarding the court decision to Germany on Friday, and demanded his arrest and extradition to Turkey, the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of restrictions on talking to the media, said.
On Feb. 27, Muslum was set free by a Czech court despite having a verdict against him and a red notice for him. He was detained on Feb. 25 in Prague after Turkey called on the Czech Republic to arrest the ex-terrorist leader.
The Turkish Interior Ministry had offered a bounty of nearly $1 million on Muslum who is listed as a most wanted terrorist.
Muslum is being sought on charges of disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state, homicide, attempted homicide, damaging public property, and transporting hazardous substances.
The PYD/PKK is a Syrian offshoot of the PKK which has been designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.
Reporting by Meltem Bulur:Writing by Sorwar Alam
