Former PYD/PKK ringleader arrested in Prague, Czech Republic

Former co-leader of PYD/PKK terrorist group Salih Muslim has been arrested in the Czech capital, said Turkish security officials on Sunday.

Muslim was arrested in Prague on Saturday, said the officials on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Turkey's official news agency reported that Czech authorities had detained a former leader of a Syrian Kurdish political party under an Interpol red notice based on Ankara's request for his arrest.

The Turkish Interior Ministry offered a bounty of nearly $1 million on Muslim who is listed as a most wanted terrorist.

The PYD/PKK, a Syrian offshoot of the PKK, which has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU and has waged a terror campaign against Turkish state for three decades.

Anadolu says Turkey is submitting an extradition request and that a Czech court will decide whether to extradite Muslim or release him.
TURKEY CALLS ON PRAGUE TO ARREST EX-PYD/PKK CO-LEADER
The arrest of former PYD/PKK co-leader Salih Muslim in Prague came after Turkey called on Czech authorities to arrest him after media reports said he would attend a meeting in the capital, Turkish security officials said on Sunday.

According to the information obtained by Anadolu Agency, Turkish officials of the Directorate General of Security's Interpol department called on Czech authorities to arrest Muslim over the media reports, which said he has attended a meeting in Brussels and would attend a similar event in Prague.

Following Turkey's demand, Czech security forces arrested Muslim on Sunday at 2.35 a.m. Turkish time (2335GMT Saturday).

Later, they informed Turkey about the arrest of the former terror group leader, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media

Turkish officials from Directorate General of Security's Interpol department and the Ministry of Justice have begun the administrative process for the extradition of Muslim.

Pursuant to the verdict of Ankara's 4th Heavy Penal Court, Muslim is sought over the charges of disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state, homicide, attempted homicide, damaging public property and transfering a hazardous substance.