Six people arrested over 'activity linked to proscribed group PKK'

Six people have been arrested over suspected activity linked to the proscribed group Kurdistan Workers Party - known as the 'PKK'.

Two women and four men aged between 23 and 59 were arrested at separate addresses across London early this morning, as part of a crackdown led by the Met's Counter Terrorism Command. 

All six have been detained under section 41(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000 and are in custody at a London police station. 

The Acting Commander of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: 'This activity has come about following a significant investigation and operation into activity we believe is linked to the terrorist group PKK. 

'These are targeted arrests of those we suspect of being involved in terrorist activity linked to the group.

'I hope that these arrests show that we will not tolerate any sort of terrorist activity and that we will take action where we believe there is harm being caused to communities here in the UK or elsewhere.'

Officers are carrying out searches at eight addresses across London, including at the Kurdish Community Centre in Haringey, north London. 

The search activity at all eight locations is ongoing, while the investigation at the community centre is expected to last up to two weeks. 

Both the centre and the surrounding area are set to close to the public while officers continue their work. 

Additional local officers will be carrying out patrols and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. 

Acting Commander Flanagan added: 'This investigation and activity is about protecting all of our communities, but particularly those in our Turkish and Kurdish communities. 

'I would urge anyone who thinks they may have been affected or targeted by those linked to the PKK to get in touch.

'We are also very mindful that closing the community centre may cause inconvenience to some people. Officers will be working as quickly as they can, but these are very serious allegations so it is important that we take care in identifying and gathering as much evidence as we can.'

There is not believed to be any immediate threat to the public linked to the matters under investigation. 

The six people arrested were a 59-year-old woman, a 27-year-old man, a 31-year-old woman, a 62-year-old man, a 56-year-old man and a 23-year-old man. 

Anyone with concerns or information relating to the investigation or activities of the PKK can contact police in confidence on 0800 789 321. 

What is the PKK?

• The PKK is a militant political movement which seeks to establish autonomy for Kurdish people living in Turkey.
• The group has been branded a 'terrorist organisation' by Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, but this label has been disputed by some regional analysts.
• Recent terror incidents which are claimed to have been undertaken by the PKK include the killing of 12 Turkish soldiers in Northern Iraq in 2023 and a suicide bombing in the capital Ankara in the same year.
• Since the 1980 military coup, the Kurdish language and many traditions have been banned in Turkey, both in public and private.
• The PKK began armed conflict against Turkish forces in 1979 which did not cease until a 2013 ceasefire- over 40,000 people, most Kurdish civilians, died during that time. 
• The ceasefire broke down in 2015, with the PKK accused by Turkish authorities of terror tactics and targeting civilians.
• A number of foreign states such as Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria have all been accused in of funding the PKK in the past or currently.