PKK front groups send funds to terror organization

ANKARA

A front organization dubbed the "Kurdish Red Crescent" founded by the PKK/KCK terror group has been found to provide finances to terrorists.

The PKK/KCK has sought to cover up its illegal activities including forcible recruitment, provision of financial and logistical support to terrorist activities and influencing public opinion through supposedly legal foundations in Europe since 1978.

The Association for Assistance and Solidarity with Martyrs and Imprisoned Families (HEV-KOM) was among these organizations, created in Germany to provide financial resources to prolong the terror group's activities and support armed terrorists.

After the PKK was included in European terror lists, the PKK/KCK renamed HEV-KOM in 1993 as the Kurdish Red Crescent to make it seem as a non-governmental organization or aid group.

This Dusseldorf-based front organization was recognized as a foundation in 2005 and continues to operate in Europe.

In 2012, another false charity, Heyva Sor a Kurd, was established by a group of doctors and health professionals operating under the so-called Kurdish Red Crescent in Amuda, Syria.

The organization treats injured and sick members of the terror group in rural areas where they continue their terrorist activities, provides financial resources to the terror group and supports its propaganda activities.

Legally, the establishment, recognition and representation of associations such as the Red Crescent and Red Cross are regulated by the Geneva Convention and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), under which only independent countries are permitted to establish such organizations.

Member countries are only able to found one Red Cross or Red Crescent association each.

Due to the nonexistence of an independent Kurdish state, the Kurdish Red Crescent is an illegal association in accordance with ICRC regulations.

The so-called Kurdish Red Crescent organization applied to the ICRC to be recognized in 1997.

However, the ICRC left the application unanswered because the association was not known internationally and did not belong to an independent state.

In a 2007 lawsuit filed against the so-called aid agency in Germany, the Kurdish Red Crescent was determined to be a subsidiary of the banned terrorist organization PKK in Germany.

According to testimonies of arrested PKK/KCK leaders, the so-called aid group collects money in Germany through supposed relief campaigns, threats and blackmail.

The so-called Kurdish Red Crescent was subsequently found guilty of collecting the funds for the PKK/KCK terrorist organization.

Activities of the organization have since been banned, though the PKK/KCK continues such activities in Germany under another front group known as Die Sonne Mesopotamiens -- The Mesopotamian Sun.

This organization also has different names in other countries, and is called the Kurdish Red Moon in the U.K and Japan, Koerdische Rode Halve Maan in Belgium, Holland and Switzerland, Crossant Rouge Kurde in France, Stotteforeningen Mesopotamiens Sol in Denmark, Roja Sor a Kurdistan in Austria, Kurdiska Rode Halvmanen in Sweden and Mezza Luna Rossa in Italy.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut