Wanted terror suspect arrested with fake documents at airport in Turkey

By Izzet Taskiran

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish forces have arrested an alleged member of the PKK terror group who tried to enter the country with a fake travel documents at Istanbul Airport, security sources said on Thursday.

The suspect presented false stateless documents under the name of "Znar Kalash" to officials while attempting to enter the country on Dec. 10, according to the sources who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Police at passport control checked for fingerprints after suspicions related to the passport photo not matching the passenger's appearance. He was identified as Ahmet Akdag, a wanted PKK terror suspect.

He was also found to have traveled illegally from Europe to Turkey in 2011 and 2014, and claimed to have obtained his stateless documents illegally in Vienna.

Akdag was later released after being processed at the police station, with a ban on leaving the country.

Separately, sources also said that so far, 21 PKK members have been caught entering or leaving the country with false documents at Istanbul Airport.

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