Iraqi protesters denounce Turkey's interference
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 19 May 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraqi protesters denounce Turkey's interference, 19 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fbcc8f02.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| 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 19, 2012
Some 200 protesters have rallied in front of the Turkish Consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra, calling for the Turkish government to stop interfering in Iraq's internal affairs.
Their demands included handing over Iraq's fugitive Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, who is on trial in absentia in Baghdad, accused of running death squads.
Ankara has said it will not extradite him.
Hashimi dismisses the accusations as politically motivated.
Relations between Iraq and Turkey have worsened in recent months, with the Iraqi Foreign Ministry summoning Ankara's envoy to Baghdad this week to protest the behavior of two Turkish diplomats.
In April, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of fanning tensions between Sunnis, Shi'a, and Kurds.
Maliki responded by accusing Turkey of seeking regional hegemony.
Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
