PKK terrorist still on US wanted list amid WP article

ANKARA

A so-called leader of the PKK terror group whose article was published by the U.S.-based Washington Post on Wednesday is near the top of the U.S.'s wanted terrorists list.

The U.S. Department of State’s Counter-Terrorism Rewards Program (RFJ) lists terrorist Cemil Bayik as a wanted terrorist, putting up to a $4 million reward for information that brings him to justice.

"Cemil Bayik is an Executive Committee Member, founding member and senior leader of the PKK. Bayik is also designated by the Department of the Treasury," the RFJ said on its official website.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has "targeted Turkish government officials, police and security forces and indiscriminately injured and killed civilians," it added.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu lambasted the U.S.-based Washington Post on Thursday for publishing the "terrorist propaganda" in Bayik’s article.

The article did not fall under the freedom of press and expression, and it is a "terrorist propaganda", Cavusoglu said, and added: "A head terrorist of the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the U.S., and which has brutally massacred tens of thousands of innocent people -- has brazenly engaged in terrorist propaganda by using The Washington Post.”

The PKK has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years, resulting in the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.

*Writing and contribution by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur in Ankara