Thousands of Kurds in London protest British police raid of Community Center

Thousands of Kurds marched to the Kurdish Community Center in the London borough of Haringey, after the raid by the British police. The march was organized by the Democratic Forces Union.


HIKMET ERDEN
LONDON
Friday, 29 November 2024, 10:34

Thousands of Kurds marched to the Kurdish Community Center in the London borough of Haringey, after the raid by the British police. The march was organized by the Democratic Forces Union.

Following the simultaneous operation by the British police on 27 November against the London Kurdish Community Center and Kurdish activists, the protests initiated by the Kurds and their friends continue. The interrogation of the 7 Kurds taken into custody in the operation continues at the police station. It was reported that the British police applied to the court to extend the detention period of the Kurdish activists for another 7 days with a court order.

It was learned that the 6 Kurds taken into custody during the protests the day before were released, but they were banned from entering the Haringey area.

The police occupation of the Kurdish Community Center building continues.

The front of the KCC building continues to be closed with iron barricades. In addition to the barricade, hundreds of police are constantly on standby. It was also learned that the investigation of the anti-terror teams and intelligence officers in the KCC building continues.

While Kurds set up tents on the street where the occupied KCC building is located, a group of hunger strikers continue their protest opposite the police barricade.

Meanwhile, restaurants, cafés and markets in Haringey have closed their doors for several hours to protest the police occupation of the Kurdish Community Center. Hundreds of people have visited the tent where the hunger strikers are located throughout the day, and tensions have frequently erupted between the police and the public.

Yusuf Açıl on behalf of the United British Democratic Forces, said that dozens of British politicians, such as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have visited the Kurdish Community Center many times. "Those who come and ask for support from these institutions are raiding the KCC today. Then our duty is to defend our institutions without taking any steps back. This position is a position created by the Kurds. We will defend our position until the end. There is no stepping back an inch."









Lawyer Has: Police in London are posing as Turkish prosecutors

Lawyer Ali Has said that police in London are posing as Turkish prosecutors by asking about political cases in Turkey.


ANF
LONDON
Thursday, 28 November 2024, 10:34

The first day of interrogation of 7 Kurdish activists who were taken into custody in London in raids on the Kurdish Community Center and homes by the Anti-Terror Teams affiliated with the Metropolitan Police in England has ended.

The health conditions of Kurdish People's Assembly co-chair Türkan Budak, KHM employee Ercan Akbal, Kurdish politician and writer Ali Poyraz, Kurdish Foreign Relations Representative Agit K., Kurdish women activist Berfin K., Kurdish youth Mazlum S. and Doğan K., who were detained after their homes were broken with sledgehammers by police, are good.

British police detained the Kurdish activists on the basis of the Anti-Terror Law. Questions about the PKK were asked during the first day of questioning.

The lawyer of the Kurdish activists, Ali Has, said that no concrete evidence has been presented so far. He said that police put the Kurdish Community Center through the criminalization process with this operation, and added: "They divide the interrogation into several parts. General questions about the PKK; are you a member or a sympathizer? Clearly, they are trying to associate my clients with that organization. They have not presented anything concrete at the moment. This is pure criminalization."

They are trying to intimidate Kurdish society

Lawyer Has said that the Kurdish activists were asked questions like 'We think you are a terrorist. What do you think?'. He added: "The interrogations were not based on anything concrete. There are no complaints about my clients. These are predetermined names. They are all taken at the same time. Simultaneous raids are carried out. Normally, they would go at 7 in the morning. However, simultaneous raids are carried out at 03:00 at night. This is practically torture at that time of night."

Lawyer Has drew attention to the fact that the operation was prepared in advance, and added that, while the Kurdish centre was being raided, news of the raid was simultaneously served to all newspapers.

The lawyer said that the police were trying to turn a civilian institution into something criminal, and added: "What they are saying is, there is a picture of Abdullah Öcalan, there are pictures of martyrs... These alone are not elements of a crime. Moreover, the centre is private property."

Has drew attention to the fact that the police asked young activists Doğan K. and Mazlum S. about the political cases filed against them in Turkey, and said that, in fact, "police were posing as the Turkish prosecutor."

The lawyer added: "The police are trying to put the Kurdish Community Center in a difficult position, claiming that it is the headquarters of the PKK in England. And the reason for the arrest is Article 41. The National Security Act was passed in England in 2023. While that law was being passed, an addition was also made to the Terrorism Act. According to this article, the police are granted extensive powers and the right to question anyone without concrete evidence that they have committed any crime under the Terrorism Act. Currently, Kurdish activists have been detained based on this article."

Lawyer Has said: "The force used is disproportionate. They want to intimidate the Kurdish community here and create fear."

Kurds in London condemn attacks on Kurdish Community Centre
On Wednesday, British police raided the London Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) and the homes of many Kurdish patriots and politicians.The Kurdish Community in London issued a statement condemning ...

Jeremy Corbyn: Attack on the Kurdish Community Centre is an attack on us all

“The Kurds have changed our part of London for the better – and their resolve is an inspiration to millions of us seeking to build a more just and peaceful world,” said MP Jeremy Corbyn.


ANF
NEWS DESK
Friday, 29 November 2024

Following the simultaneous operation by the British police on 27 November against the London Kurdish Community Center and Kurdish activists, the protests initiated by the Kurds and their friends continue. The interrogation of the 7 Kurds taken into custody in the operation continues at the police station. It was reported that the British police applied to the court to extend the detention period of the Kurdish activists for another 7 days with a court order.

Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour Party leader and currently an Independent MP for Islington North in the British Parliament, made a statement on the operation against the Kurdish Community Centre and its employees.

The statement by Corbyn includes the following:

“I am deeply alarmed by the raid on the Kurdish Community Centre by large numbers of riot police.

The Centre is an important cultural space for the diverse and inclusive communities of North London. It provides support for refugees who have fled war and persecution, and a space for the Kurdish community to come together. Its services and classes are a lifeline for many.

Attacks on one community's institutions or its democratic freedoms is an attack on us all.

I am proud to represent a constituency with a vibrant Kurdish community. They have changed our part of London for the better – and their resolve is an inspiration to millions of us seeking to build a more just and peaceful world.”