NAIROBI - Kenya said on Monday said it had handed over four Turkish refugees after accepting an extradition request by Ankara despite Amnesty International raising concerns they could face persecution at home if they were deported.

       It accepted the deportation request because of the strong relations between the two countries, the ministry of foreign and diaspora affairs statement said, adding it received assurances "that the four will be treated with dignity in keeping with national and international law".

       Amnesty said on Saturday that if they were deported they could face serious human rights violations, which underscored "growing concerns about the safety of all refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya".

       Kenya said it was committed to protecting the 780,000 refugees it hosts, most of whom are from Somalia.

       The statement did not name the refugees deported on Friday nor give any details on why their extradition had been sought by Turkey. REUTERS