The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) had not yet assured Ragıp Zarakolu of a safe entry to Germany this year, according to a statement by the Börsenverein. The Interessengruppe (IG) Meinungsfreiheit des Börsenvereins des Deutschen Buchhandels and the International Publishers Association (IPA) condemn Turkey's extradition request and demand free entry and exit for the publisher:

"We call on Sweden and Germany not to make themselves the stooges of anti-human rights actions by the Turkish government and to grant Ragıp Zarakolu free entry and exit. The extradition request is a further attempt by the Turkish government to silence critical intellectuals, journalists and publishers and systematically pursue them. In doing so, it is once again proving that it rejects the fundamental values of democratic states. It is trying to restrict human rights activists and freedom of expression," said IG Meinungsfreiheit and IPA.

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