Bosnia Cancels Four Turks’ Residence Permits on Erdogan’s Request

Erdogan reportedly believes they are followers of exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose movement the Turkish government blames for the failed coup in the country in 2016 and describes as a 'terrorist group'.

Since the failed coup, the Turkish authorities have detained thousands of suspected 'Gulenists' and put pressure on governments abroad to extradite suspects.

The Serb member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, Milorad Dodik, confirmed that Erdogan "had requests" during his visit.

'Illegal and political'

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: EPA-EFE/FEHIM DEMIR

On July 15, after Erdogan's visit, lawyers Nedim Ademovic and Senka Nozica said proceedings for the withdrawal of residence permits for seven Turkish citizens were being conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina after Turkey submitted a document declaring their passports invalid.

Ademovic said residence permits for four Turkish citizens were then withdrawn in early September.

He described Erdogan's request as "illegal and political".

"Every day we continue to receive informal information indicating that requests for the 'extradition' of these Turkish citizens are a part of an economic package between the Republic of Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina - we give you a motorway, you give us political opponents," he said.

He said no criminal proceedings have been instigated against the four Turks in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Turkey.

"There is no evidence that their passports have been declared void. There is not a single piece of evidence on anything. The Bosnian authorities simply acted upon a request by the Turkish Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina to...