UK bans TAK, moving against PKK alternatives

The British government on Monday formally outlawed the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (Teyrebaz Azadiye Kurdistan-TAK) group and added three other organizations to its list of terrorist groups under a new legislation which makes glorification of terrorism illegal.

TAK, a devout supporter of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, has claimed responsibility for a wave of bombings in Istanbul and tourism resort attacks in Turkey.

This year the organization issued repeated threats against tourists traveling to Turkey and threatened also to stage indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas.

On its website, the organization published extensive instructions on homemade improvised explosive devices and their use. Most recently, it issued an appeal for Kurdish youth in Turkey to launch an extensive campaign of environmental devastation by setting forests on fire.

The other groups banned in Britain were the UK-based Islamist militant Al-Ghurabaa group and the Saved Sect as well as the Baluchistan Liberation Army.

It is now believed that Home Secretary John Reid will move add Kongra Gele Kurdistan (KONGRA-Gel) and KADEK to the banned list, which would confirm them, in line with Home Office information, to be alternative names for the PKK, which is already outlawed in Britain.

"I am determined to act against those who, while not directly involved in committing acts of terrorism, provide support for and make statements that glorify, celebrate and exalt the atrocities of terrorist groups," Reid said.

"I am also committed to ensuring that those organizations that change their name do not avoid the consequences of proscription."

Proscription makes it a criminal offence for a person to belong to or encourage support for the group or wear cloths suggesting support. (II/YE)