3 more PKK terrorists surrender to Turkish security forces

By Sertac Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Three more PKK terrorists have surrendered in Turkey thanks to persuasion efforts by the country’s security forces, said the Interior Ministry on Thursday.

In a statement, the ministry said the terrorists, who escaped from the group through persuasion efforts of gendarmerie and police teams, surrendered to security forces after entering Turkey.

The terrorists, who were active in Syria and Iraq, had joined the terror group in 2005 and 2015.

With the latest additions, the number of terrorists who have laid down their arms through persuasion efforts this year has risen to 71.

Offenders in Turkey linked to terrorist groups who surrender are eligible for possible sentence reductions under a repentance law.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan in Istanbul.