Czech court orders release of Syrian Kurd leader despite Turkish extradition call
PRAGUE - A Czech court ruled on Tuesday that former Syrian Kurdish PYD leader Saleh Muslim be released, despite Turkey's call for his detention pending an extradition request.
Muslim formerly headed the PYD, the major component of a coalition that governs Kurdish-held autonomous parts of northern Syria. He was detained in Prague over the weekend at the request of Turkey, which accuses him of disrupting the state and aggravated murder.
"The court ruled Mr. Muslim will be released," a spokeswoman for the Prague Municipal Court, Marketa Puci, said, adding the ruling had taken legal effect as both the state attorney and the defense gave up their rights to appeal.
"The court accepted a promise by Mr. Muslim that he will remain on EU territory and will be attending court hearings."
Muslim's lawyer Miroslav Krutina told reporters his client had promised the court not to obstruct further proceedings.
