The Swedish Supreme Court has rejected the extradition request of journalist Bülent Keneş, whom AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted to be extradited back in Turkey.
According to Euronews, the court ruled that there are obstacles to extradition “on the grounds that the request is related to political accusations”.
“It is clear that there are various obstacles to the extradition of criminals in the case.” High Court Judge Petter Asp said in a statement to the press that the double guilt requirement had not been fulfilled in relation to one of the criminal charges.
Sweden, which applied for NATO membership along with Finland after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, is waiting for Ankara’s approval. Ankara notes that Finland and Sweden should implement the extradition requests of these countries as soon as possible in order to approve their NATO membership.
Finally, meeting during Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s visit to Ankara, AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked for the extradition of journalist Bülent Keneş by naming him in a statement.
Erdogan said, “The deportation of terrorist Bülent Keneş, who is a member of the FETO terrorist organization, back to Turkey is of great importance for us.”
Bülent Keneş, the former editor-in-chief of Today’s Zaman newspaper, lives in Sweden.
Speaking to the Swedish press after the Supreme Court’s decision to stop his extradition, Keneş expressed his feeling: “I am happy for sure. But this decision was already expected.” said he.