British police charge six in PKK-related terrorism investigation
Supporters of the PKK terrorist group (PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the U.S. and the EU) clash with police in London’s Harringay neighborhood on Wednesday after the Metropolitan Police arrested six people in connection with suspected terrorist activity linked to the group in London, United Kingdom on November 27, 2024. (AA Photo)
Six individuals have been charged in connection with suspected activities linked to the PKK terrorist organization, British police announced.
The charges include membership in a terrorist organization. The suspects will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later today, according to London’s Metropolitan Police.
- [A] Turkan Ozcan, 59 (06.02.1965), of Edmonton, N9,
- [B] Mazlum Sayak, 27 (05.08.1997), of South Woodford, E18,
- [C] Berfin Kerban, 31 (07.10.1993), of Haggerston, E8,
- [D] Ali Boyraz, 62 (30.05.1962), of Tottenham, N17,
- [E] Ercan Akbal, 56 (13.07.1968) of Leyton, E10,
- [F] Agit Karatas, 23 (05.11.2001) of Hackney, E8.
All six were charged with membership of a terrorist organization
Following consultation with and authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service, all six [A-F] were charged with membership of a terrorist organisation – namely the Kurdistan Workers’ Party or ‘PKK’ – contrary to section 11 of the Terrorism Act, 2000.
They were charged on Monday, 9 December and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 10 December.
A 31-year-old man [G] who had previously been arrested as part of this investigation was released from police custody without charge on Sunday 8 December.
British Police
Detective Chief Superintendent Caroline Haines, who leads local policing for the Haringey area, said: “I would like to thank members of the local community for their patience while this investigation has been carried out – especially those from the Kurdish community, whom I know have been particularly impacted by this activity.”
“We will continue to engage with Kurdish community members going forwards to keep them updated and address any concerns,” she said.
“Additional patrols will remain ongoing in the affected areas over the coming days and I would ask that if you still have any concerns, then please get in touch with me or my local officers so that we can work with you to keep everyone safe,” she added.
Six people charged in UK over suspected PKK terrorism links
Acting Commander Helen Flanagan, from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We fully recognise the concern and impact this investigation has had upon the local community and we continue to work closely with local policing colleagues to keep them updated.”
“The charges brought about in this case are very serious and come about following an extensive investigation by our detectives. It is important that communities right across London know that where we suspect any kind of potential terrorist activity, then we will look to investigate and take action to disrupt that in order to keep everybody safe,” she added.
The arrests come after a significant investigation into activities thought to be associated with the PKK, a terrorist group responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in Türkiye.
The six individuals were detained under Section 41(1) of the Terrorism Act 2000 and are currently in custody at a London police station.
The PKK, which has waged a violent terrorism against Türkiye for over 40 years, is recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union.
The group has been responsible for more than 40,000 deaths, including civilians, women, children, and the elderly. The YPG, a Syrian offshoot of the PKK, is also under scrutiny.
