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Erdogan ally floats releasing jailed pro-Kurdish leader Demirtas

Erdogan ally floats releasing jailed pro-Kurdish leader Demirtas
Erdogan ally floats releasing jailed pro-Kurdish leader Demirtas. (AP)
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Updated 17 sec ago

Erdogan ally floats releasing jailed pro-Kurdish leader Demirtas

Erdogan ally floats releasing jailed pro-Kurdish leader Demirtas
  • Erdogan ally floats releasing jailed pro-Kurdish leader Demirtas

ISTANBUL: Turkish nationalist party leader Devlet Bahceli, who is President Tayyip Erdogan’s main parliamentary ally, said on Tuesday that it could be beneficial to release from prison the former pro-Kurdish party leader Selahattin Demirtas.
The surprise comment before reporters outside parliament came a year after Bahceli — who has in the past pushed for major policy changes from Erdogan — called for the beginning of a peace process with the militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).


Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan, first major crossing since May conflict

Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan, first major crossing since May conflict
Updated 4 sec ago

Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan, first major crossing since May conflict

Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan, first major crossing since May conflict
  • The pilgrims were welcomed by Pakistani officials who presented them with flowers
WAGAH BORDER: Dozens of Sikh pilgrims from India crossed into Pakistan Tuesday, AFP journalists saw, in the first major crossing since deadly clashes in May closed the land border between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
The pilgrims, visiting to attend festivities marking the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, were welcomed by Pakistani officials who presented them with flowers and showered them with rose petals at the Wagah-Attari border.
Tensions remain high between Islamabad and New Delhi after the worst fighting since 1999 erupted in May, with more than 70 people killed in missile, drone and artillery exchanges.