London: PKK supporters disturb peace in the city

LONDON

The activities of terrorist PKK sympathizers in London over the past week have come under more scrutiny, with some asking why backers of an illegal group are allowed to gather, mobilize publicly, and even freely raid media and human rights organizations.

Groups of protestors carrying terrorist PKK flags, banners, and posters -- bearing the insignia of the illegal group or the likeness of its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan -- have been seen on the streets of the British capital.

A group of 50 PKK sympathizers invaded a building in London last Wednesday where the offices of Turkish international news channel TRT World and Britain’s ITV are located.

Another group on Saturday night invaded Amnesty International’s entrance and manhandled a security officer before being removed by police who were called to the scene.

In both incidents, the groups hung up posters and symbols of the terrorist organization PKK/YPG and freely and openly showed their solidarity with terrorism.

The PKK is a banned organization in the U.K. and anybody seem openly praising its terrorist activities should face prosecution.

The supporters have been observed shouting anti-Turkish slogans and were able to mount propaganda without interference from the authorities, despite laws that deem some of their actions on these marches criminal offences.

Amnesty arrests

"It is with considerable regret that Amnesty International can confirm that just before 10 p.m. last night a group of approximately 40 protesters rushed the door and forcibly entered the offices of the organization's International Secretariat in London,” the rights group said in a statement.

“A security guard was pushed and pulled to the ground and trampled underfoot,” it said.

Amnesty also said the police were called to the scene and they “assessed the situation and determined that criminal offenses had been committed and took action to remove those occupying the building.”

“Regretfully some of the protesters refused to leave and the police had to arrest and physically remove them," it added.

Loopholes

Supporters of the terrorist group are known for their attacks on Turkish workplaces and mosques across Europe.

Although the group is banned in the U.K., the police have tolerated activities by its supporters, including rallies.

In 2016 rallies, two young Turkish citizens were attacked, a policeman was injured, and some members of the general public were harassed by PKK supporters.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan last year said that the PKK terrorist group takes advantage of loopholes in the U.K. to prevent counter-measures by the Metropolitan Police.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in 2018, Khan said the loopholes that allow occasional demonstrations to be held by PKK supporters in the U.K. capital are not acceptable, adding that the Metropolitan Police ought to act against any banned organizations.

“I think it’s very important for the government and the home secretary to close those loopholes,” Khan said.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.

The YPG/PYD is its Syrian branch.