Turkish Forum

Tag: Tareq al-Hashemi

  • Turkey won’t deport Iraq’s al-Hashemi

    Turkey won’t deport Iraq’s al-Hashemi

    Turkey will not deport Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi despite an international Red Notice for his arrest issued by Interpol. In Iraq, Hashemi is accused of running a death squad.

    hashemi

    In spite of being put on Interpol’s most wanted list on Tuesday, the Turkish government said on Wednesday it sees no reason to extradite the Iraqi Vice President, who is in Turkey for medical treatment.

    “We will not extradite someone who we have supported since the very beginning,” Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency.

    Bozdag also pointed out that Iraq was not cooperating enough in Turkey’s efforts to detain supporters of the Kurdish rebel group PKK, which carries out attacks inside Turkey from bases in northern Iraq.

    Al-Hashemi is being tried in absentia in Iraq on charges of terrorism. He is being accused of guiding and financing death squads that targeted government officials, security forces and Shiite pilgrims.

    Bozdag’s comments came a day after Interpol issued an international Red Notice for the arrest of al-Hashemi, one of Iraq’s top Sunni Arab officials, on suspicion of “guiding and financing terrorist attacks”.

    Al-Hashemi, who has been in Istanbul since April 9, insisted in a statement posted on his website on Tuesday that he was not above the law and was ready to appear in court if his security and a fair trial could be guaranteed. But he also claimed that the charges were false and motivated by the Shiite-led Iraqi leadership’s animosity towards Sunni politicians.

    ng/ipj (AFP, AP)

    via Turkey won’t deport Iraq’s al-Hashemi | News | DW.DE | 09.05.2012.

  • Iraqi fugitive VP will return home: Turkey PM

    Iraqi fugitive VP will return home: Turkey PM

    Iraqi fugitive VP will return home: Turkey PM

    May 8 2012 at 05:58pm

    By SAPA

    405659875

    iol pic wld Tareq al-Hashemi

    Reuters

    Iraq’s fugitive Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi.

    Ankara, Turkey –

    Turkey’s prime minister said Tuesday that Iraq’s fugitive vice president Tareq al-Hashemi would return home once he has finished treatment for his health, the Anatolia news agency reported.

    Hashemi, who is being tried in absentia in Baghdad accused of running a death squad, has been staying in Turkey since early April.

    Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Hashemi was in his country for health reasons as well as for political contacts.

    “I believe that he will return to his home country after completing the treatment for his health problems,” Erdogan was quoted as saying by Anatolia to journalists during the Turkish leader’s visit to Rome.

    He also voiced support for the Iraqi leader concerning the legal case he was facing in Baghdad.

    “As I said earlier, we’ve supported him and will continue supporting him on this issue,” said Erdogan.

    The Sunni vice-president has sought refuge in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region after he was accused by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s government of running death squads against Shiites Ä a charge he denies.

    Erdogan’s remarks came after Interpol said Tuesday it had issued an international Red Notice for Hashemi’s arrest on suspicion of “guiding and financing terrorist attacks”.

    “The Red Notice for al-Hashemi represents a regional and international alert to all of Interpol’s 190 member countries to seek their help in locating and arresting him,” the Lyon-based international police agency said. – Sapa-AFP

    via Iraqi fugitive VP will return home: Turkey PM – World News | IOL News | IOL.co.za.

  • Turkey FM says wanted Iraqi leader should stay in Iraq

    Turkey FM says wanted Iraqi leader should stay in Iraq

    While Iraq’s vice president, for whom an arrest warrant has been issued by his government, takes refuge in Kurdish region, Turkish foreign minister does not rule out granting asylum

    AFP , Saturday 24 Dec 2011

    Turkey’s foreign minister on Saturday urged Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, facing an arrest warrant on terror charges, to remain in Iraq but said Turkey would not turn him away if he requested asylum.

    “What would be appropriate for us is that Mr Hashemi should stay within the Iraqi territory,” said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in televised remarks broadcast by the state-run Turkish Radio and Television.

    Davutoglu said Turkey’s doors were open to him but that he would prefer him to stay in Iraq and contribute to a solution to political the problems facing his country.

    Hashemi, a member of Iraq’ Sunni Arab minority who has fled to the autonomous Kurdish region, is the subject of an arrest warrant that has plunged the country into political chaos. Davutoglu said the gravity of the allegation faced by Hashemi could not be minimised.

    “This is a very serious accusation and I think it must be clarified as soon as possible,” he said.

    Asked about Turkey’s response if the Iraqi leader requested asylum from Turkey, which shares a border with Iraq, Davutoglu said: “Our tradition requires us not to say ‘no’ to any statesman who requests asylum from Turkey.”

    A five-member judicial panel has issued a warrant for Hashemi’s arrest on terror charges. Hashemi says that the charges are politically motivated and that he would accept trial before a court in the Iraqi Kurdish region.

    via Turkey FM says wanted Iraqi leader should stay in Iraq – Region – World – Ahram Online.