German terror PYD/PKK suspect arrested in SE Turkey

By Ekrem Payan

SIRNAK, Turkey (AA) – A German national suspected of links to the terrorist PYD/PKK was arrested in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday, security sources said.

Patrick Kraicker, 28, was arrested on March 14 in Silopi in the Sirnak province when trying to enter Syria, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

During the arrest, police also reportedly seized various documents, digital materials, and photos related to the terrorist PKK/PYD.

When questioned by police, Kraicker reportedly said that he had been in the German army for four years and wanted to go to Syria to join the PYD/PKK.

Kraicker was remanded on charges of assisting and abetting the terrorist PYD/PKK.

It was also reportedly confirmed that the suspect had entered Turkey twice.

The terrorist PYD/PKK is the Syrian branch of the terrorist PKK, and a main target of Turkey’s ongoing counter-terrorist Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, Syria, just south of the Turkish border.

More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.