‘DETAINED TURKS TO BE SENT BACK HOME’

They can’t be sent to a third country, says Zahid

FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR PUTRAJAYA news@nst.com.my

THREE Turks arrested on suspicion of threatening national security can be deported only to their country of origin and not to a third country, as requested by family members.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police should handle the case.

“They need to be deported to Turkey. Why should we burden other countries? That is not our responsibility.

“The wives are not aware of their husbands’ involvement (in activities relating to the Islamic State).

“We leave it to the police to use regulations to take action, including deportation.”

Zahid, who is also home minister, was commenting on a request by Ayse Gul Karaman, wife of one of the men, Turgay Karaman, to have her husband deported to any country other than Turkey.

She urged the government to send her husband elsewhere, claiming that the Turkish government would torture him if he were sent back.

She claimed that at least 50 political prisoners had either died or been left to die in Turkish prisons.

Zahid said the Home Ministry would continue to negotiate with the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur to have the wives and children sent back too.

“We are humane. If the wives and children are innocent, they will not be punished.

“We will negotiate with the Turkish embassy for the deportation.”

On whether the families could choose to stay in Malaysia, Zahid said they were allowed to remain in the country if they qualified for a resident pass or had multiple entry visas.