Turkish prosecutors seek extradition of former HDP lawmaker Osman Baydemir from UK

The Diyarbakır Chief Prosecutor's Office has drafted an extradition request and red notice for former Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker Osman Baydemir. Baydemir, who was the mayor of Diyarbakır between 2004 and 2014, is currently living in the U.K., prosecutors said in their application to the Justice Ministry.

Duvar English

Turkish prosecutors on Sept. 17 applied for a red notice and an extradition request to be issued for Osman Baydemir, a former lawmaker from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and a former mayor of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır.

The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office sent its request to the Justice Ministry. It said in its application that Baydemir is believed to be residing in the U.K.

The prosecutors also said that Baydemir is being sought on charges of “being a member of armed terrorist group.”

Turkey has charged many top HDP politicians with membership in a terrorist organisation, accusing them of links to the Kurditan Workers' Party (PKK). The HDP, which is the third largest party in parliament, denies such links.