Ex-PYD/PKK co-leader to appear before Prague court

By Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA (AA) - The former co-leader of PYD/PKK terrorist group, Salih Muslum, will appear before a court in the Czech Republic on Monday, according to Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag.

"Turkey expects Salih Muslum -- who is a leader of a terrorist group and still actively plotting terrorist attacks against Turkey -- to be extradited to our country as per the law requirements between our countries," Bozdag told Turkish channel NTV in capital Ankara.

Muslum was arrested in Prague on Saturday, a Turkish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, said.

The arrest came after Turkey called on the Czech Republic to arrest the former terrorist co-leader and sent warrants for his arrest to Prague, the official added.

The Turkish Interior Ministry has offered a bounty of nearly $1 million on Muslum who is listed as a most-wanted terrorist.

Czech authorities had earlier asked Turkey to submit necessary documents for Muslum’s extradition.

Turkish security officials and the Ministry of Justice have begun the administrative process for the extradition of Muslum.

The PYD/PKK, a Syrian offshoot of the PKK, has been designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.