London, Six people on charges of being PKK members

Following an investigation by London’s counter-terrorism police, six individuals have been charged with membership of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group that has been designated as illegal under UK law. The suspects are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court to face these charges. Acting Commander Helen Flanagan of the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command has stated that the allegations against the six are of a particularly grave nature and have been thoroughly substantiated through the meticulous investigation conducted by London detectives. The suspects had been apprehended in the preceding month, November 2024, as part of counter-terrorism prevention activities, which culminated in a series of searches at multiple locations, including the Kurdish community centre in Haringey and the Seat of the Assembly of the Kurdish People in the United Kingdom. A 31-year-old man who was detained as part of the investigation has been released without charge, according to police. Kurdish groups have issued a call for the immediate release of those arrested, expressing concern over what they perceive as violations of democratic, judicial and human rights principles. The PKK is a separatist group that seeks the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in south-eastern Turkey. It has been proscribed in the UK since 2001.