Turkey arrests Kurdish woman linked to PKK in Finland

Multiple Turkish media outlets report that Turkey has arrested a Kurdish woman believed to be leading a branch of the PKK in Finland. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the arrest of a Finnish citizen in Turkey but refrains from disclosing her identity due to legal privacy concerns. Reports indicate the woman was apprehended in Istanbul after being monitored by Turkey’s intelligence agency for some time and has since been moved to prison.

The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, and the US, presents a national security threat, as noted by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service (Supo). While Supo has declined to comment on whether it is in contact with Turkish authorities regarding this case, it acknowledged some PKK activity in Finland, focusing on financing and advocacy work.

According to information from STT, the arrested individual is reportedly well-known among Kurds in Finland and has previously participated in protests, including demonstrations against Turkey. Reports suggest she has played a role in connecting PKK leadership with grassroots members in Finland, organizing various events.

Experts warn that the woman could face severe penalties if found guilty of supporting PKK activities. PKK, founded in the late 1970s, originally sought an independent Kurdish state but today advocates for autonomy within Turkey. There are nearly 20 million Kurds living in Turkey and significant Kurdish minorities in Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The ongoing conflict between the PKK and the Turkish government has persisted since the 1980s, despite intermittent cease-fires.