Greek minister rejects extradition order for Turkish terror suspect

ATHENS

Greek Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis has decided not to proceed with the court order to extradite Turkish terror suspect Turgut Kaya to Turkey, according to national news agency AMNA.

“In a decision issued by Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis, Turkish journalist Turgut Kaya will not be extradited from Greece to Turkey,” AMNA reported on Aug. 4.

“The Greek minister froze the extradition process ordered by a Greek court earlier this year. The Turkish journalist, aged 45, has been on a hunger strike since the start of June, in protest to the the court decision. The Turkish government has issued an arrrest warant for him to serve a remaining prison sentence after he was found guilty of by a Turkish court for participating in an illegal organization,” it added.

Kaya was arrested in February while trying to enter into Greece.

A Greek court on June 1 ordered the extradition of the suspected “far-left terrorist” to Turkey.

Despite an Interpol red notice against him, Kaya's application for asylum was accepted on July 21.

According to Greek judicial procedures, a final decision on extradition should be made by the Justice Minister.