Activists in Metz, France, have demanded the release of two Kurdish refugees, Firaz Korkmaz and Mehmet Kopal, who are at risk of extradition to Turkey, where they previously faced repression for their political engagement.
On Thursday, in front of the Metz prefecture, about twenty associations, unions, and political groups gathered to protest the potential extradition of the two young Kurdish activists. Both men have sought asylum in France following persecution in their homeland for their involvement with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
“I was arrested at 13 for graffiti about Kurds and resistance,” shared 24-year-old Korkmaz, detailing his activism in Iğdır (İdir) and subsequent targeting by Turkish police, including a narrow escape from a 15-year prison sentence faced by his friends during a cultural demonstration.
Alexandre André, the lawyer representing both men, confirmed Korkmaz’s prior conviction in Turkey and Kopal’s consistent threats from police due to his HDP activism. Kopal’s arrest experiences, ranging from participation in a demonstration to being forcibly taken by plainclothes officers, underscore the risks they would face upon return to Turkey.
Their situation became more precarious after their participation in a Strasbourg protest for Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan, leading to their arrest and an order to leave France (OQTF), despite ongoing asylum applications. André highlighted the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons’ (OFPRA) scepticism of their involvement in the protest as alarming.
With a decision due on Sunday, 24 March, on whether Korkmaz and Kopal will be extradited, local organisations in Metz have voiced strong opposition, citing France’s obligation to protect individuals from repression. “How can France, the land of human rights, consider sending these men back to a country known for its harsh treatment of Kurdish activists?” questioned Marc-Vincent Anding, a visitor to the detained men, stressing the critical need for local mobilisation in their defence.
The case of Korkmaz and Kopal reflects broader pressures on Kurdish refugees in Europe, with similar incidents reported in Germany, where Sekvan Tangüner faces possible deportation despite a history of imprisonment and ongoing investigations in Turkey. The Tangüner family’s appeal for public awareness and a reversal of Germany’s extradition decision underscores the urgent need for protection of Kurdish activists across Europe.
