French Police Arrest 8 Men in Investigation of PKK Finances

French police arrested 8 men on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the finances of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a group banned as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies. The arrests took place in the Paris region and southern France.

French prosecutors suspect the eight men of preparing and financing terrorist acts, and of conspiring to extort or attempt to extort funds to finance the PKK between 2020 and 2024. Investigators believe the men are connected to a campaign to collect funds from Kurdish business people and other Kurds in France. The funds were allegedly destined for use in Belgium, where police raided Kurdish-run media as part of a related probe.

The anti-terrorism unit of the Paris Judicial Court launched the investigation into crimes related to the PKK from 2020 to 2024, including charges of joining a criminal group, financing a terrorist organization, and attempting to collect extortion as an organized gang. Searches were also conducted at offices used by Sterk TV and Medya Haber TV in France and Belgium, which propagate PKK propaganda.

Why this matters: The arrests and investigation highlight ongoing efforts by French and Belgian authorities to crack down on the PKK's financing and activities across Europe. The PKK has waged a decades-long insurgency for greater autonomy for the Kurdish minority in Turkey, an issue that remains unresolved with the Turkish government.

The raids on Kurdish media outlets in Belgium coincided with Kurdish Journalism Day and resulted in the confiscation of broadcasting equipment and press materials, preventing the stations from operating. Legal representatives of the raided media outlets have announced they will take action against what they consider to be unlawful interference in their activities, calling on the Belgian government to clarify its position and relations with Turkey while urging respect for press freedom and the protection of journalistic activities in the European Union.

Key Takeaways

• French police arrested 8 men linked to PKK financing investigation.
• Suspects accused of preparing, financing terrorist acts, and extorting funds for PKK.
• Raids conducted on Kurdish media outlets in France and Belgium, equipment confiscated.
• Crackdown on PKK's financing and activities across Europe by French and Belgian authorities.
• Kurdish media outlets to take legal action against what they consider unlawful interference.