3 PKK suspects remanded in custody in Turkey

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin

EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) - At least three PKK terror suspects, who were trying to cross to Europe, remanded in custody in Turkey’s northwest, security sources said on Tuesday.

Security forces had arrested two suspects, identified by the initials S.O. and I.P, in the Enez district of Edirne province, bordering Greece and Bulgaria. They were remanded in custody for their alleged links to the PKK terrorist group.

Separately, gendarmerie and border security forces arrested four suspects at the military forbidden zone in Yenikarpuzlu town of Ipsala district.

A PKK terror suspect and a human trafficker, identified by the initials I.C and S.K., were remanded in custody. The other two suspects were released on bail.

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants aiming to cross to Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar