Romanian court rejects request by Turkey to extradite journalist

A Romanian court has rejected a request by Turkey to extradite a Turkish journalist it accuses of terrorism.

Turkey wants to try Kamil Demirkaya for links to Fethullah Gulen, the US-based cleric blamed by Turkey for orchestrating a failed coup in 2016.

The Court of Appeal delivered its ruling, which is not final, on Friday after 15 minutes' deliberation.

Reasons will be published later.

Demirkaya was detained in Romania on Dec 5 after Turkey petitioned to extradite him "for being a member of criminal, a terrorist group."

Demirkaya denies allegations of terrorism.

He said he opposed the request because "justice doesn't function in Turkey."

The Zaman Romania newspaper where Demirkaya works say the extradition was ordered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The case is delicate for Romania, which takes over the EU's rotating presidency on Jan 1.

(With inputs from agencies.)