Turkish Foreign Ministry summons Belgian ambassador

ANKARA

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry summoned Belgian Ambassador to Ankara Michel Malherbe on March 11 over a Belgian judicial decision it said had blocked the prosecution of people with alleged links to the illegal PKK,  a ministry official said.

The ministry last week described the decision by the Belgian Chamber of Indictment as unacceptable and said Belgium was expected “to act in line with [its] counter-terrorism responsibilities”. 

In a statement on March 8, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: “Despite evidence submitted by the Federal Prosecutor of Belgium on the PKK’s terrorist nature, this decision, as it stands, provides the terrorist organization with a very dangerous area of exploitation.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said it was possible to appeal the decision in the Belgium Court of Appeals. “Turkey will continue its legal fight determinedly,” he added.

“We expect our ally Belgium to act in line with counter-terrorism responsibilities and take the necessary steps in the fight against the PKK terrorist organization in an effective manner,” he said.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the death of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.