Turkish opposition party demands extradition of Muslum

Turkish opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader called on Germany to extradite former co-leader of PYD/PKK terrorist group Salih Muslum.

"There is a historic and premium chance for Germany [to improve relations with Turkey]," Devlet Bahçeli told his party's lawmakers in the parliament on Tuesday.

"Either Germany will extradite terrorist Salih Muslum to Turkey for bringing him to justice, or they will deal a blow to friendship and relations [with Turkey] once again," said Bahceli.

Bahçeli's remarks came ahead of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavuşoğlu's visit to Germany, where he will meet his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel.

Çavuşoğlu said that the extradition issue of Muslum will come to the agenda of the meeting on Tuesday.

Recalling Turkey's demand for extradition of former co-leader of PYD/PKK terrorist group, Bahçeli said Germany should not make the same mistake which the Czech Republic committed.

Bahçeli said that the Czech Republic has given support to terrorism by releasing Muslum who was reportedly last seen in Germany.

"If Germany wants to open a new chapter of its relations with Turkey, and wants to keep distance from terrorism, the remedy is clear. The solution is to extradite the[…]," said Bahçeli.

"No country which gives importance to humanitarian values and defends the human rights can support terror groups."

Muslum was arrested on Feb. 25 in Prague after Turkey called on the Czech Republic to arrest the ex-terrorist leader.

On Feb. 27, Muslum was set free by a Czech court despite the fact that a high court in Ankara has filed a case against him for a deadly attack carried out in the capital in 2016.

The high court had also issued an arrest warrant for Muslum, and asked Interpol to issue a red notice against him.

The Turkish Interior Ministry has also offered a bounty of nearly $1 million for the arrest of 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 March 13, 2016, attack at Güven Park in Ankara's Kızılay -- a popular shopping area -- had been carried out using an explosives-laden vehicle, which left 37 people dead and dozens others injured.

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.