Turkey demands explanation over PKK suspects released in Denmark

Turkey has demanded an explanation and clarification from Danish authorities about the release of 10 men charged with financing the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) for alleged terrorist activities, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written statement Oct. 31.

“Fighting the financing of terrorism is an international obligation for every country, as well as Denmark. Therefore, information and an explanation about precautions being taken against the financing of the PKK terrorist organization, including the history of the case, has been demanded from Danish authorities,” said the statement.

As result of an investigation conducted against the financing activities of the PKK in Denmark, an operation was carried out by the Copenhagen Police on Sept. 18, 2012.

On Oct. 22, a Danish court freed 10 men who were accused of financing terrorism by extorting money for and providing financial support to the PKK.

The suspects were accused of channeling about 140 million kroners, or $21 million, to the PKK through the Roj TV network, a Kurdish satellite television station.

In the hearing a verdict of non-guilty was announced and the jury acquitted all suspects, based on the assumption of “their innocence and inadequacy of the evidence to prove that the suspects financed PKK.”

The ruling risks further straining relations between Ankara and Copenhagen, which earlier this week slammed a decision by Turkish authorities to release a man suspected of trying to murder an outspoken Danish critic of Islam, Lars Hedegaard.