The Netherlands may not extradite a leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to Turkey, judges said on Saturday.
Hasan Adir was arrested on January 19 after his car strayed over the border from Germany, where he lives, the DutchNews.nl newsletter reported. Adir, who is on an international wanted list, had fled from Turkey to Germany because of fears for his and his family's safety.
Turkey asked for his extradition shortly after the arrest.
The PKK has been struggling since 1984 to create an independent Kurdish state in Turkey.
The Dutch court refused to back the deportation, saying Adir risked being tried a second time for the same offence. The court also said Adir had been tortured in Turkey.
Judges ordered Adir to be returned to Germany where his presence accepted but not officially recognized. The German courts also say there is a real risk he would be tortured if sent back to Turkey.
The conflict between Kurds and Turkish authorities has taken more than 40,000 lives. The UN and U.S. label the PKK a terrorist organization.
AMSTERDAM, March 27 (RIA Novosti)
