Finland says Turkey should know that its extradition requests are not possible to meet

Finland says Turkey should know that its extradition requests are not possible to meet
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Jussi Halla-aho, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Finnish Parliament said the latest figure Turkish President Erdogan mentioned is like a guess out of the hat

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest remarks over the number of “terror suspects” Ankara expects to be handed over by Sweden and Finland, raised questions in Finnish capital.

While Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said they have not received such an updated list from Turkey, Jussi Halla-aho, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Finnish Parliament said "This number is like a guess out of the hat", Kronos reported on Tuesday.

Finnish Parliament’s spokesperson Matti Vanhanen on the other hand, has said that Turkey should know that these extraditions are not possible.

“We are surprised by Erdogan's continuous demands,” he said.

Erdogan on Sunday said Turkey is expecting Sweden and Finland to extradite around 130 people, in order to let the two Scandinavian countries to join NATO.

“Unfortunately, they failed to do it,” Erdogan said.

Commenting over Erdogan’s remarks, Finnish Foreign Minister Haavisto said they have not received an updated extradition request list from Turkey.

Talking to Finland’s public radio Yle, Haavisto said Erdogan’s remarks were definitely looking like a reaction to the recent demonstrations held in Stockholm.

Last week, a life size effigy resembling the Turkish President was hung on a pole during a protest in front of the City Hall in Stockholm, immediately meeting strong condemnations from Turkey. Erdogan also filed a criminal complaint with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office demanding an investigation against the perpetrators, which his lawyer deemed to be the PKK.

Jussi Halla-aho, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Finnish Parliament said the latest figure [130 people] mentioned by Erdogan was like a guess out of the hat.

"After this number was revealed, us, the officials here have discussed it among ourselves and we have no idea who are these terrorists,” he said.

Finnish Parliament’s spokesperson Matti Vanhanen also said that they are surprised by Erdogan's continuous demands.

“ Turkey should know that these extraditions are not possible,” Vanhanen said, adding that Finland has met all the criteria for NATO membership.