UK Police Detain Six Connected To Proscribed Kurdish Group

Police said Wednesday that six people were arrested in London as part of a “significant” counter-terrorism policing operation for “suspected activity” connected to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Two women and four men were detained under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Metropolitan Police said, but there is “not believed” to be any imminent threat to the public linked to the probe.

The PKK is a separatist movement seeking an independent Kurdish state in southeast Turkey. It is banned under British law and is also considered a terrorist group in Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.

“These are targeted arrests of those we suspect of being involved in terrorist activity linked to the group,” said Helen Flanagan from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

As part of the investigation, raids were carried out at eight London addresses, including at a Kurdish Community Centre in north London.

“This investigation and activity is about protecting all of our communities, but particularly those in our Turkish and Kurdish communities,” Flanagan added.

AFP