Bangladesh asks Turkey not to meddle in 1971 war crime trial
PTI Fri, 28 Dec 2012 19:46 Taking strong exception to Turkey seeking "clemency" for those accused of the 1971 war crimes, Bangladesh has asked it to explain why it is interfering in the ongoing trial of these suspects, most of whom belonged to the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami party. "The Turkish move surprised us," a Foreign Ministry official saod, noting that Dhaka-Ankara ties have otherwise been "excellent" and witnessed exchange of high-level visits in recent years. The official's remarks came days after right-wing Turkish President Abdullah Gul sent letters to his Bangladesh counterpart Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina calling for "clemency" for those accused of war crimes. A visit by a 14-member Turkish political delegation to Dhaka to witness the trial process has worsened the matter. The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry official said the Turkish envoy here was also asked to explain his country's interference in the ongo