UPDATE - Turkey calls on Germany to extradite FETO suspects

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM CAVUSOGLU

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday called on Germany to extradite Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) members to Turkey.

In a televised interview to private news channel Haberturk, Cavusoglu said: "If Germany does not return Adil Oksuz to us, then it will be in the same position as the U.S. that does not extradite FETO leader [Fetullah Gulen]."

"There is some activity in the U.S. [over the extradition of Gulen], but whether it is Germany or other countries, they must all return these traitors who plotted a coup in Turkey; these people must face justice."

The foreign minister's remarks came shortly after witnesses told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday that Turkey's most wanted coup suspect Adil Oksuz stayed at a small apartment in Berlin early this year under the protection of FETO members.

Oksuz, a theology lecturer accused of masterminding Turkey's July 15, 2016, defeated coup, has been on the run for almost two years.

Cavusoglu also said they had officially contacted German authorities regarding Oksuz.

"We of course have an agreement with Germany. This person is a putschist and Germany is very well aware of it. Thus, if he is caught, then the extradition process will begin," he said.

In Germany, which is home to more than three million Turkish immigrants, FETO has a large network with dozens of private schools, businesses and media organizations. Since the 2016 defeated coup, nearly 4,000 FETO suspects have come to Germany from Turkey and other countries, according to local media reports.

Several FETO suspects, including former soldiers and diplomats, have applied for asylum in various German federal states.

About extradition of FETO fugitives from Greece, Cavusoglu said: "I know Greece wants to return them but the West, including the European Union are seriously pressuring Greece to not return them to Turkey."

Regarding counter-terror operation in northern Iraq, the foreign minister said the PKK terror group’s presence in Iraq is a threat to Turkey’s national security.

He urged Iraqi authorities to cooperate in eliminating PKK just the way Turkey and Iraq did in eliminating Daesh.

“Actually, PKK is also a serious threat to them too…Preparations, intelligence sharing are being conducted, preliminary arrangements are continuing in efforts to eliminate PKK…,” Cavusoglu said.

About Iran’s position on the PKK, he said: “We are also conducting discussions with Iran. PKK/PJAK is also a threat to Iran. In fact, Mt. Qandil is much closer to Iranian border… PKK-PJAK-YPG are all same terror groups. Thus, we must all cooperate against them.”