Turkey’s mainstream outlets this week reported that the Cypriot government approved the extradition of a Kurdish politician to Germany on the condition that he would not be handed to Turkey.
24TV, one of those outlets, called the conditions set by Cyprus scandalous, while other outlets accused the Cypriot authorities of engaging in negotiations to protect a terrorist linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
A Larnaca court approved Kenan Ayaz’s extradition court on Wednesday, requested by Germany over terrorism related charges.
The 49-year-old Ayaz, who was arrested on 15 March, has been living in Cyprus as a political refugee since 2011.
He was arrested in Turkey in 1993 at the age of 17 and was handed an 11-year prison sentence, while in 2009, he was forced to flee to Europe, being part of a list of Kurdish politicians whom the Turkish authorities described as “terrorists”, the Greek media reported.
In his testimony at court, Ayaz denied any links to the PKK.
The court in Larnaca claimed that “no evidence presented before the court pointed to a further extradition of Ayaz to Turkey from Germany,” and requested German authorities not to send the Kurdish politician to Turkey.
However, the court’s assurances have not calmed down protestors who gathered in front of the Justice Ministry, arguing that Ayaz’s extradition to Germany will pave the way for his further extradition to Turkey.
Participants held placards reading “Kenan is not a terrorist”, “Cyprus stop deporting Kurds”, and “Freedom to Kenan Ayaz”, during the protest organised by the Kurdish cultural organisation Theophilos.
Cyprus’ main opposition Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) last month called on the government to prevent Ayaz from being sent to Turkey.
“As it is known, Kenan Ayaz is a recognised political refugee that has been living in Cyprus for ten years, and he was arrested based on a European arrest warrant from Germany, which has requested his extradition,” said a statement shared by AKEL after the court’s decision.
The country’s Green Party said in a statement that that they were with “sadness, disappointment, and shame” over the court’s decision.
