France arrests 43 PKK terror supporters for vandalism

By Yusuf Ozcan

STRASBOURG (AA) - At least 43 supporters of the PKK terrorist group were arrested after a protest in front of the Council of Europe building turned violent, French media reported Monday.

The crowd, gathered to protest imprisonment condition of the terror group's jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, attacked police in front of the building in Strasbourg, according to local media.

The protesters injured three police officers by throwing stones and broke windows and the door of the building, plus set fire to a trash dumpster.

Ocalan was convicted of terrorism and treason in 1999 and is currently serving a life sentence in Turkey.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people. The YPG/PYD is its Syrian branch.

Speaking to reporters, Daniel Holtgen, the director of Communications at the Council of Europe, said: “Everybody is entitled to peaceful demonstration, but violence and vandalism are unacceptable.”

Heavy security measures were taken at the Avenue de l'Europe where the demonstration took place.