Danes outraged by Turkey’s hostage deal with IS
Reports that the would-be assassin of a Danish anti-Islamic activist was released in exchange for Turkish hostages held by the Islamic State has infuriated Danes.
Unbeknownst to most Turks, who are more concerned about much more direct issues involving developments in Syria and Iraq, a diplomatic storm is raging between Turkey and Denmark because of the Islamic State (IS).
Danes are livid that the Islamic militants reportedly released by Turkey in September in exchange for 49 hostages held by IS included a Danish national sought by Denmark for the attempted murder of a Danish writer and anti-Islamic activist.
The incident has resulted in diplomatic demarches and angry remarks by Copenhagen, which is said to be doubly furious that Ankara is not taking the matter as seriously as the Danish side expects.
There are those on the Turkish side, however, who are quick to turn the tables on Denmark. They recall that Copenhagen always turned a deaf ear to requests by Ankara about the extradition of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants sought by Turkey for acts of terrorism. They also underline that Denmark has not prevented various activities by this group on Danish soil.
