Czech authorities have released a prominent leader of Syria’s Kurdish community who was detained in Prague at the weekend.
Prague’s Municipal Court ruled on February 27 that Salih Muslim, former co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), be released despite Turkey's request for his extradition.
Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdag said the ruling was political and "a clear support for terror," adding that it will have negative effects on Turkish-Czech relations.
Dozens of supporters had gathered outside the Prague court, calling for Muslim’s release. Around 200 people staged similar demonstrations in Prague on February 26.
Muslim was detained in the Czech capital on February 24 based on an Interpol notice from Turkey.
A Turkish court charged Muslim with "breaking the state and country's unity" and other offenses.
Turkey considers the PYD a "terrorist group."
Muslim, 67, stepped down as PYD co-chair last year but remains influential.
