Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Unit Arrests Six Individuals Linked to PKK
In a significant operation, counter-terrorism police in London have arrested six people suspected of involvement with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a group banned as a terrorist organization in Turkey, the US, and UK.
The arrests, which took place in the early hours of Wednesday, involved two women aged 59 and 31, and four men aged 23, 27, 56, and 62. All six individuals have been detained under the Terrorism Act and are currently in custody at a London police station. Authorities have stated that there is no immediate threat to public safety.
As part of the investigation, police are conducting searches at eight locations across London, including the Kurdish Community Centre in Haringey. The search is expected to continue for up to two weeks, with the centre and surrounding area closed to the public.
The PKK, which has been fighting against the Turkish state since the 1980s, seeks greater rights for Turkey’s Kurdish minority. The group’s activities have long been controversial, leading to its designation as a terrorist organization by multiple countries.
The raids sparked immediate protests, with a group gathering outside the community centre. During these demonstrations, four additional protesters were arrested on various charges, including support for a proscribed organization, assaulting an emergency worker, making threats to kill, and a racially aggravated public order offense.
Ishak Milani from the Kurdish People’s Assembly in the UK strongly criticized the operation, describing the raids as “unjust and heavy-handed.” He argued that the action was “an attack on our people” and “an affront to the principles of democracy, justice, and human rights.”
The Metropolitan Police defended their actions, with Acting Commander Helen Flanagan emphasizing that these were “targeted arrests” of individuals suspected of terrorist activity. She acknowledged the potential inconvenience caused by closing the community centre but stressed the importance of the investigation.
Flanagan stated that the operation was aimed at “protecting all of our communities, but particularly those in our Turkish and Kurdish communities.” She urged anyone who might have been affected or targeted by PKK-linked individuals to come forward and contact the authorities.
In response to potential community tensions, the police have announced increased patrols in the area over the coming days.
The operation highlights the ongoing challenges of managing international terrorist organizations and balancing community relations with national security concerns. While the police maintain that their actions are necessary for public safety, the Kurdish community has expressed significant concern about the approach and potential impact on their community.
The investigation continues, with authorities conducting thorough searches and interviews as they work to gather more information about the suspected terrorist activities.
