UPDATED: Turkey expels PUK representative

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) representative to Turkey has been expelled from the country, the party’s media reported.

 

This comes as the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held a meeting with the party in Erbil during his visit to the Kurdistan Region.

 

“Due to complications between PUK and Ankara,” Ankara asked Behruz Galali to leave the country, read a statement from PUK media. 

 

Galali and his family are expected to return to Sulaimani Thursday morning. 

 

Cavusoglu met with Saadi Ahmad Pira, and Qubad Talabani, two senior members of the PUK Wednesday night.

 

Pira told Rudaw following the meeting that they discussed Galali’s case with the Turkish foreign minister on the sideline of the meeting.

He said that Ankara asked Galali to leave not because of problems between the PUK and Ankara, but “as a result of a failed activity of Turkey."

 

Pira said Galali has been in Turkey for 17 years and lamented the fact that he now has to leave.  

 

Cavusoglu also met with Kurdish President Masoud Barzani and a number of other Kurdish officials largely to discuss the Kurdistan independence referendum planned for September 25.

 

Pira said the PUK and Cavusoglu discussed the issue of the referendum.