Swedish-Kurdish debater: "Then we will not join NATO"

The Turkish government demands that more people with links to the PKK or the conservative Gülen movement be extradited.

According to Kurdo Baksi, there are currently over 30 names on Turkey's list.

Presidential elections in Turkey 2023

He himself says that he knows nine of them - one of which no longer exists in life.

- A few years ago, Turkey drew up a list of 70,000 people at Interpol demanding extradition.

When it is now being said that Sweden may extradite some Kurds, the anxiety is also starting to grow in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Australia.

Because if you follow Erdogan's demands in Sweden, the concern is that other countries will do the same, says Kurdo Baksi.

He believes that Turkey's blocking of Sweden's NATO membership is part of Erdogan's strategy ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

- I think Sweden's concern about Turkey's threat is very exaggerated.

There is no concrete threat in the long run.

Erdogan has no problems with Sweden and Finland, Erdogan has problems with Joe Biden and the USA.

Erdogan just wants him to call him and invite him to the White House and show his voters that he is a strong man.

"Cure cancer with headache tablets"

Kurdo Baksi does not think that Sweden should change its attitude towards Turkey.

- Being kind to Erdogan is like curing cancer with headache tablets.

Erdogan grew up on the streets, he knows the harsh language, he knows the gangster world, you have to be tough on Erdogan otherwise he will not listen to you.

But if we have to change our attitude in order to join NATO?

- Then I do not think we should join NATO.

If we are to give up freedom of expression, democracy, gender equality and the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766, then we will not be part of NATO.

Then there is something wrong with NATO - not with us.