Turkey demands Germany arrest, extradite PYD/PKK’s former co-leader Muslum

Turkey requested Germany to arrest and extradite former Democratic Union Party (PYD) terrorist organization co-leader Salih Muslum.

Muslum faces an Ankara high court verdict 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.

A Czech court ruled last week to free Muslum despite Turkey's extradition request. Muslum's arrest came after Turkey called on the Czech Republic to arrest the former co-leader of the terrorist group and sent warrants for his arrest to Prague.

The Turkish Interior Ministry had offered a bounty of nearly $1 million on Muslum, listing him as a most-wanted terrorist.

The PYD is a Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) which has been designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.