Speaking to reporters in Ankara Monday, Cicek said that the government was pleased that eight Turkish soldiers captured by the terrorist group the PKK had been released.
“We held talks with the Iraqi government and the US on this matter,” he said. “We are pleased that those talks yielded favourable results. The EU, the US and the Iraqi government consider the PKK a terrorist organisation.
Acts of this organisation must be prevented. Those who were involved in this crime should be extradited to Turkey. Everyone including the United States should do whatever is necessary.
The eight Turkish soldiers were captured by the PKK in the south eastern province of Hakkari on October 22. All eight were released on Sunday.
However, Cicek also said that looking at the situation, it was clear which side some people stood on.
“On the other hand, when we look at the picture, we see who is with who,” he said. “It is historically the most concrete document. Those who were there were captured red-handed.”
Three parliamentary deputies of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) travelled to northern Iraq last week to try and win the release of eight Turkish soldiers.
The three, Osman Ozcelik, Aysel Tugluk and Fatma Kurtulan, are being investigated by the Ankara Prosecutor to determine if they had contacts or links with the PKK.
