DUESSELDORF, Germany (AFP) - German authorities extradited a leading Islamic extremist known as the Caliph of Cologne to Turkey, ending a protracted legal battle over his case.
A private jet carrying Metin Kaplan left the international airport in the western city of Duesseldorf at about 1630 GMT bound for Istanbul, where he is facing treason charges.
Federal Interior Minister Otto Schily, who had personally fought to ensure Kaplan`s expulsion, hailed his deportation as a "symbol for a democracy able to defend itself" and a victory for the rule of law.
"Foreigners who violate the constitutional order in such a dramatic way have no business here," he said.
The federal government and the city of Cologne had been fighting to kick Kaplan out of the country for more than a year but have been thwarted by court rulings arguing that he could face mistreatment if sent back to Turkey.
Turkey, which is predominantly Muslim, wants to put him on trial for attempting to overthrow its secular government, calling for a holy war and plotting to attack a shrine to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, modern Turkey`s founder.
Kaplan, who had appealed against his expulsion to a federal court, ended a four-year prison term in Germany in March 2003 for inciting members of the Hilafet Devleti group or "Caliphate" to murder a rival Islamic leader.
Schily banned the organization in 2001 using legislation passed after the September 11 attacks in the United States to crack down on Islamic extremists.
Earlier Tuesday, the administrative court of Cologne ruled that despite his ongoing appeal, the 51-year-old Kaplan could still be expelled, calling him "a figure with whom Islamic extremists identify".
City authorities acted swiftly, detaining Kaplan at an Internet cafe in the afternoon after overpowering some of his supporters who tried to resist police. Almost immediately afterward, Kaplan was whisked to the plane.
Security sources said Kaplan, who has been in Germany for 21 years, was flown to Turkey in a private Lear jet, paid for by authorities anxious to see him finally expelled before another appeal could create a legal obstacle.
A superior court in the western city of Muenster overturned an earlier ruling in May against Kaplan`s expulsion, saying he was not under great threat of torture in Turkey. But it explicitly allowed him to pursue an appeal before a federal tribunal.
Cologne issued an arrest warrant but red-faced authorities soon realized that they could not locate him, although he was under legal orders not to leave the city.
Displaying a sense of humor, Kaplan left a note outside his apartment asking police not to break down the door but simply to collect the keys from neighbors.
He later turned himself into police and quickly filed the appeal against his extradition with the federal court.
The administration tribunal of Cologne ruled Tuesday that the city need not wait until that appeal had been heard to send Kaplan back to Turkey, prompting the dramatic arrest.
A spokesman for that court, Klaus-Peter Uhlenberg, said he expected the federal court to rule on the case despite his expulsion.
"The case will continue. But it is another question whether it is realistic to expect Mr. Kaplan will be able to return for the hearing if he is Turkey," Uhlenberg said.