Turkish journalist arrested in Kyrgyzstan on terror suspicion
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 12 May 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkish journalist arrested in Kyrgyzstan on terror suspicion, 12 May 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4dd3cb9ec.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 12, 2011
BISHKEK – Kyrgyz authorities say they have arrested a Turkish citizen wanted by Turkey for alleged links with a terrorist group, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
The Kyrgyz National Committee for State Security's (UKMK) press service told RFE/RL on May 11 that Turkish journalist Ali Osman Zor, 43, was detained in Kyrgyzstan as a terrorism suspect on May 2.
Zor is wanted by Turkish officials for his alleged involvement in a terrorist group connected with Al-Qaeda that wants to create an Islamic caliphate in the Middle East.
Khurnisa Makhadinova, the deputy chairwoman of the Adilet (Justice) Human Rights Center in Bishkek, told RFE/RL that Zor arrived in Kyrgyzstan about nine months ago and applied for political asylum.
She said it would be illegal to extradite Zor to Turkey as the law on refugees states that such decisions can be made only after an official refusal to grant asylum to an applicant.
Makhadinova added that Kyrgyz authorities have not yet received an official request from Ankara for Zor's extradition.
She said her center is providing Zor with legal assistance.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
