PKK

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"Transferring Money to the PKK is out of the Question"

ULRIKE DUFNER:

"Transferring Money to the PKK is out of the Question"

Prime Minister Erdoğan implied in a statement that German foundations were assisting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party. Ulrike Dufner from the Association of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung commented that this was out of the question.

4 October 2011 Ekin Karaca

PKK Released Eight Hostages; One Soldier Abducted

PKK Released Eight Hostages; One Soldier Abducted

The militant Kurdistan Workers' Party released four workers and four village guards. One special sergeant was kidnapped. 19 people are still being kept hostage, including twelve teachers.

4 Civilians Killed, 14 People still Kept Hostage

4 Civilians Killed, 14 People still Kept Hostage

Four civilians, one soldier and one police officer were killed in an armed conflict in Şemdinli on 11 September. A total of 14 people who were abducted since July are still being kept hostage by the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

13 September 2011

Four Village Guards Abducted

Four Village Guards Abducted

The Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK abducted four village guards in the Beytüşebbap district of Şırnak in the evening of 7 September. Subsequently, a large-scale military operation was launched in the region.

9 September 2011

Qandil Region still in Turmoil

Qandil Region still in Turmoil

The region around the Qandil Mountain in northern Iraq still remains in turmoil after the air strikes on PKK hideouts by the Turkish Armed Forces in August. Soldiers, civilians and PKK members died in armed conflicts after the air raids.

7 September 2011

Clashes in South-Eastern Turkey Claim more Casualties

Clashes in South-Eastern Turkey Claim more Casualties

One lieutenant and one specialist sergeant were killed in a shooting on a military outpost that was carrying out searches and scans in Dersim. In Hakkari, two village guards died in an armed conflict.

5 September 2011

Seven Soldiers Dead Amid Fears of Escalating Violence

Seven Soldiers Dead Amid Fears of Escalating Violence

An explosive went off targeting a military convoy in Hakkari. MoD blames the rebel group PKK and warns of "retaliation". PM Erdogan declares "a new period" in combating the PKK.

"Faux News Part of Psychological Warfare Against the Kudish Rebels?"

"Faux News Part of Psychological Warfare Against the Kudish Rebels?"

Turkish state channel TRT claimed that the head of Kurdish rebels, Murat Karayılan had been arrested in Iran. The news had been falsified. BDP co-chair Demirtaş condemns the incident.

Military Operations in South-Eastern Turkey Intensified

Military Operations in South-Eastern Turkey Intensified

Two non-commissioned officers and one specialist sergeant were killed in an armed conflict in the night from 23 to 24 July in Mardin in south-eastern Turkey. A large-scale military operation was launched in the region.

Abducted Workers Released

Abducted Workers Released

The People's Defence Forces, an armed wing of the PKK, released two workers that were abducted on 14 July in Dersim in south-eastern Anatolia. The workers reportedly worked at the construction site of a military building.

10-Month Prison Sentence for Kurdish Politician Ayna

10-Month Prison Sentence for Kurdish Politician Ayna

Independent MP Emine Ayna was sentenced to imprisonment of ten months on the grounds of a speech she delivered at the Newroz celebrations in Siirt in 2007. She was charged with "propaganda" together with a further 25 defendants.

Riots in South-Eastern Turkey after Military Operations

Riots in South-Eastern Turkey after Military Operations

Thousands of people in south-eastern Turkey demonstrated against military operations that left 12 PKK members and 5 soldiers dead. Shops in the region remained closed, schools were boycotted. Demonstrators clashed with the police.

4 Students in Custody for Attending Demonstrations

4 Students in Custody for Attending Demonstrations

4 students in Van who were active in recent student protests were taken into custody by the Anti-Terror Police on 11 May. They were allowed to talk to their lawyers only after 24 hours. The lawyers are barred from seeing the file because of a decision of confidentiality.

13 May 2011 Ekin Karaca

Sociologist Beşikçi and Lawyer Şimşek Convicted

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Sociologist Beşikçi and Lawyer Şimşek Convicted

Sociologist Beşikçi was sentenced to 15 months in jail because of an article in the periodical of the Contemporary Lawyers Association. Lawyer and magazine executive Şimşek received a TL 16,660 monetary fine.

7 March 2011 Erol Önderoğlu

End of PKK Ceasefire

End of PKK Ceasefire

The Union of Kurdistan Communities announced the end of the ceasefire declared in August last year as a response to the government's failing to take concrete steps to the solution of the Kurdish question.

Assassination Plot against Journalist Metiner

Assassination Plot against Journalist Metiner

One person was taken into custody for an alleged assassination plot against Star newspaper writer Metiner. Suspect K.B. is allegedly affiliated with the militant PKK. The journalist assumed that he was targeted due to his support of the AKP policies.

15 February 2011

Second Death Threat against Kurdish Politician Miroğlu in 3 Months

Second Death Threat against Kurdish Politician Miroğlu in 3 Months

A death threat against the Kurdish politician Miroğlu was posted on the website of the HPG, an armed wing of the outlawed PKK. The article signed by Toprak Cengiz read, "If he continues like this, we will put a red line into use! Miroğlu will be dead then!"

30 November 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

RTÜK Fines CNN Türk

RTÜK Fines CNN Türk

By majority vote, RTÜK imposed a heavy monetary fine to the news channel CNN Türk on the grounds of a statement made by Kurdish politician Özçelik in the program "What's going on". He had described the militant PKK as a "political movement".

24 November 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Identity of Suicide Bomber Clarified

ISTANBUL BOMB ATTACK

Identity of Suicide Bomber Clarified

The Istanbul Governorship announced the identity of the suicide bomber who caused the injury of 32 people in Istanbul on 31 October. His name was Vedat Acar, a 24-year-old male from the south-eastern province of Van.

3 November 2010 Burçin Belge

Journalist Birand's Confession on PKK News

Journalist Birand's Confession on PKK News

Journalist Birand claimed in a column that a part of the news about the PKK is made up by the journalist and not based on true data. Journalist Başlangıç commented that many of his colleagues are superficial on the Kurdish question because they do not know the area.

14 October 2010 Semra Pelek

Öcalan Calls for Democratic Peace to Extend Ceasefire

Öcalan Calls for Democratic Peace to Extend Ceasefire

In the end of September, Karayılan from the Democratic Confederation of Kurdistan had announced to extend the ceasefire for another month. Imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan now criticized the "elimination policies" of the government and said he might take a different decision on 31 October.

14 October 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Decision on "Qandil Interview" Expected in December

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Decision on "Qandil Interview" Expected in December

The case against human rights defender Tahmaz and Birgün newspaper official Çeşmecioğlu has reached its final stage. The defendants stand trial for an interview with PKK executives. The final verdict of the Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court is expected for 2 December.

13 October 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Several Approaches - No Concrete Steps

KURDISH QUESTION

Several Approaches - No Concrete Steps

Tahmaz from the Turkish Peace Parliament thinks that the government is not going to take concrete steps towards a solution of the Kurdish question before the election in 2011. Kurdish politician Türk wants the armed forces of the PKK to withdraw from the region. Retired military judge Kardaş suggests withdrawing the Turkish Armed Forces.

30 September 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

54 Pro-Kurdish Mayors Acquitted of "Propaganda" Charges

54 Pro-Kurdish Mayors Acquitted of "Propaganda" Charges

The Diyabakır 5th High Criminal Court acquitted the 54 mayors who were tried for calling the militant PKK the "Kurdish opposition". The mayors had been facing prison sentences but the court followed the final plead of the prosecution.

15 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Fighting against Windmills

Fighting against Windmills

The Turkish government's battle with the PKK threatens to stifle art itself, says Kaya Genç.

23 August 2010 Kaya Genç

PKK Decided for Ceasefire till 20 September

KURDISH QUESTION

PKK Decided for Ceasefire till 20 September

The PKK announced its decision for a period of "passive defence" from 13 August till 20 September. The constancy of the process is contingent on four conditions. The decision was influenced by the beginning of the moths of Ramadan amongst other factors.

16 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

Peace Parliament: Pave the Way to a Solution, not to NATO

KURDISH QUESTION

Peace Parliament: Pave the Way to a Solution, not to NATO

The Turkish Peace Parliament warned the government to refer to NATO for a solution of the Kurdish question. Spokesman Bakkalcı said, "The solution to the Kurdish question is not calling on NATO but negotiations by middlemen".

7 July 2010 Tolga Korkut

Wave of Violence in South-Eastern Turkey Does not Abate

Wave of Violence in South-Eastern Turkey Does not Abate

Three soldiers and nine PKK members allegedly died in clashes in the province of Hakkari in south-eastern Turkey. The Fırat News agency announced that for soldiers were killed in an attack in Yüksekova. Another five soldiers were wounded in the province of Elazığ.

6 July 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Bağca: "A Trial Like a Caricature!"

Bağca: "A Trial Like a Caricature!"

Artist Bağca was sentenced to imprisonment of ten months for commemorating artists and a child who were killed in alleged conflicts with the Armed Forces. The "expert commission" at court was composed of special operation police officers.

6 July 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Bawer Çakır

Protest Attacks in Bingöl and Yüksekova

Protest Attacks in Bingöl and Yüksekova

The party headquarters of the AKP in Bingöl and a police tank in Yüksekova have been attacked. Shopkeepers in Şırnak and Cizre have closed their shops in protest.

Öcalan Announces Suggestions for Peace

Öcalan Announces Suggestions for Peace

The imprisoned leader of the Kurdish PKK has repeated his demand for a democratic constitution. He argued that a range of legal reforms could prepare the ground for this.

Call for Peace from Batman

Call for Peace from Batman

More than 80 organizations from Batman called the PKK to put an end to their armed actions. The organizations also demanded to stop state and military operations. "The wounds inflicted upon innocent and poor people by the violence make a solution even more difficult".

30 June 2010 Batman Post