London counter-terror police arrest six over links to PKK
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - London police on Wednesday arrested six people for “suspected activity” linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) amid an ongoing counterterrorism operation and searches at sites across the city.
Four men and two women were arrested at separate locations in London under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement, explaining that there is “not believed to be any imminent threat” to the public as investigations are underway.
“This activity has come about following a significant investigation and operation into activity we believe is linked to the terrorist group PKK,” said Acting Commander Helen Flanagan from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. “These are targeted arrests of those we suspect of being involved in terrorist activity linked to the group.”
Under Section 41 of the Act, police officers are allowed to arrest suspects of terror-related offenses without an arrest warrant.
The PKK is a Kurdish group founded in 1978 that declared war against the Turkish state in 1984. The group initially called for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now calls for autonomy. It has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and Western allies, including the UK.
Searches are underway at “eight addresses across London” as part of the investigation, including the Kurdish Community Centre in the city’s north, according to the police statement. “The search at the community centre is expected to last up to two weeks. Both the centre and the surrounding area will be closed to the public while officers continue their work there.”
Flanagan said that while the police is aware that closing the community centre may cause inconvenience to some people, “these are very serious allegations so it is important that we take care in identifying and gathering as much evidence as we can.”
Rudaw English has reached out to Kurdish officials in London and the Met Police for further information on the matter but are yet to receive a response at the time of writing.
Four men and two women were arrested at separate locations in London under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement, explaining that there is “not believed to be any imminent threat” to the public as investigations are underway.
“This activity has come about following a significant investigation and operation into activity we believe is linked to the terrorist group PKK,” said Acting Commander Helen Flanagan from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command. “These are targeted arrests of those we suspect of being involved in terrorist activity linked to the group.”
Under Section 41 of the Act, police officers are allowed to arrest suspects of terror-related offenses without an arrest warrant.
The PKK is a Kurdish group founded in 1978 that declared war against the Turkish state in 1984. The group initially called for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now calls for autonomy. It has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and Western allies, including the UK.
Searches are underway at “eight addresses across London” as part of the investigation, including the Kurdish Community Centre in the city’s north, according to the police statement. “The search at the community centre is expected to last up to two weeks. Both the centre and the surrounding area will be closed to the public while officers continue their work there.”
Flanagan said that while the police is aware that closing the community centre may cause inconvenience to some people, “these are very serious allegations so it is important that we take care in identifying and gathering as much evidence as we can.”
Rudaw English has reached out to Kurdish officials in London and the Met Police for further information on the matter but are yet to receive a response at the time of writing.