Germany bans more PKK symbols, Ocalan’s picture

BERLIN (AA) - The German government has banned the public display of images of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed head of the PKK terrorist group, amid calls by Turkey to take stricter measures against terrorism propaganda.

A spokesman of the German Interior Ministry told Anadolu Agency on Friday that the ministry had recently updated its list of prohibited symbols used by the PKK, and added Ocalan's image to the list, after an investigation into the recent propaganda activities of the group.

The expanded list of prohibited symbols and slogans used by the PKK was sent to all relevant authorities in the federal states last week, the official said, adding that the federal authorities would be executing the measures.

Germany, which hosts a 3 million-member Turkish community, outlawed the PKK in 1993 but the group is still active in the country, with more than 14,000 followers.

Since the use of the PKK flag was banned earlier by the German authorities, the followers of the group often carried flags bearing the image of Ocalan in their recent rallies organized across the country.

The PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its armed campaign against Turkey in July 2015 and since then has been responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,200 security personnel and civilians, including women and children.