Turkish counterterrorism police have detained 28 suspects over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Diken news website reported on Thursday.
Police carried out simultaneous raids across three provinces after the issuance of warrants by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in western Turkey.
Thirteen of the suspects were detained in İzmir for allegedly receiving instructions from the PKK. During the raids in İzmir, the police reportedly seized documents as well as a pistol, the registration of which could not be determined.
A total of 15 suspects were detained in the eastern provinces of Van and Siirt for allegedly aiding and abetting the PKK on the ground, while 10 blank cartridges along with digital materials were reportedly seized.
More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK launched an armed insurgency in Turkey’s Southeast in 1984.
The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.