Turkey: 20 arrested for suspected PKK/KCK links

IZMIR, Turkey

At least 20 people including former officials of the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) were arrested in Turkey's western Izmir province for their suspected links to PKK/KCK terror group, security sources said Monday.

The arrests came after Izmir and Menemen Public Prosecutor’s Offices issued arrest warrants for 28 people, who were allegedly spreading the terror group’s propaganda, said sources who asked not to be named, due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The HDP’s former provincial co-chair M.G. and former Menemen district head M.A. were among the arrested suspects, the sources said.

A police hunt for other suspects is underway.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people.

Reporting by Mustafa Yildirim:Writing by Nilay Kar