Turkey says it will not extradite Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, who is being tried in absentia in Baghdad accused of running a death squad.
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said Hashimi was in Turkey for medical treatment and had had Ankara's support from "the very beginning."
Bozdag's comments came a day after Interpol issued an international "red notice" for the arrest of Hashimi, Iraq's top Sunni Arab official, on suspicion of "guiding and financing terrorist attacks."
Hashimi and his bodyguards face charges including the killing of six judges and other senior officials, according to an Iraqi judicial spokesman.
Critics say Hashimi is the victim of a sectarian power struggle orchestrated by Iraq's ruling Shi'ite-majority leaders.
Hashimi has challenged the legitimacy of the trial and says his life is at risk in Baghdad.
Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said Hashimi was in Turkey for medical treatment and had had Ankara's support from "the very beginning."
Bozdag's comments came a day after Interpol issued an international "red notice" for the arrest of Hashimi, Iraq's top Sunni Arab official, on suspicion of "guiding and financing terrorist attacks."
Hashimi and his bodyguards face charges including the killing of six judges and other senior officials, according to an Iraqi judicial spokesman.
Critics say Hashimi is the victim of a sectarian power struggle orchestrated by Iraq's ruling Shi'ite-majority leaders.
Hashimi has challenged the legitimacy of the trial and says his life is at risk in Baghdad.
