2 minutes agoWhy is Turkey holding back Sweden's NATO accession?
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)Turkey has said it will be equipped with Sweden's NATO membership, when Swedish authorities extradite the sheltered members of groups that Turkish authorities consider terrorist. Over the years, Sweden has accused and criticised Turkey of abuse and violation of fundamental human rights and democratic living standards, which [...]
Over the years, Sweden has accused and criticised Turkey of abuse and violation of fundamental human rights and democratic living standards, which has irritated politicians in Ankara.
While on the other hand, Turkey claims Sweden is sheltering members of groups Turkish authorities consider terrorist. In exchange for Sweden's NATO membership, the Turkish government has requested extradition or the handover of wanted persons.
So far, Sweden has denied this charge and Sweden's courts have blocked several deportations.
Turkey has voiced opposition to gatherings in Stockholm in recent weeks where the Koran book was burned, as well as the upside down of an Erdogan photo.
Ankara says these are hate crimes, while Sweden says they are protected from laws on freedom of speech.
On May 14th, Turkey will hold elections, with çkarast Erdogan facing its largest political test in his 20 years in office. The focus of voters can be avoided from a crisis in living spending due to the NATO issue.
An opposition victory would boost Sweden's chances of a quick NATO membership, reports the REL.
