Romania defers extradition ruling for FETÖ suspect


A Romanian court has postponed a ruling on an extradition request for a Turkish suspect linked to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).

The Court of Appeal said yesterday it would defer judgment to Dec. 14 on Kamil Demirkaya, whom Turkish prosecutors accuse of links to FETÖ. Demirkaya was released pending the ruling.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said he was closely watching the case. The opposition Union to Save Romania party said Demirkaya shouldn't be extradited, claiming his life could be in danger.

Demirkaya is running Zaman Romania and Zaman Bulgaria, two newspapers which serve as mouthpieces for FETÖ, according to Turkish media outlets.

FETÖ is accused of carrying out the deadly 2016 coup attempt in Turkey with its infiltrators in the military. Many members of the group fled abroad after the coup attempt was quelled. The Zaman newspaper, which was shut down before the coup attempt for its links to FETÖ, still operates abroad with anti-Turkish coverage and articles praising the terrorist group. Turkey seeks closer cooperation from other countries in bringing the group's members to justice and has secured the extradition of hundreds from abroad after the 2016 coup bid.