PRAGUE, Czech Republic — A Czech court ordered the release of a Syrian Kurdish politician on Tuesday, angering Turkey, which had requested his extradition. Municipal Court spokeswoman Marketa Puci said the court found no reason to keep Muslim in detention. Turkey considers the PYD a terrorist group because of its links to outlawed Kurdish insurgents fighting within its own borders. Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said the court ruling would have a negative effect on ties between Turkey and the Czech Republic. On Jan. 20, Turkey launched an incursion into northern Syria, seeking to rout the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia, known as the People’s Protection Units or YPG, from the enclave of Afrin.

Source: National Post February 27, 2018 11:29 UTC