Kurdish activists detained in London appear in court

6 Kurdish activists, who were detained on 27 November in an operation by the British police, are being brought to court after 14 days of detention.


ANF
LONDON
Tuesday, 10 December 2024

The British police carried out an operation against the Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) and Kurdish activists in London on 27 November. Seven Kurds were detained under British anti-terrorism legislation during raids on the Kurdish Community Centre and the homes of Kurdish patriots. The detainees, who are accused of having links to the PKK, are Türkan Budak, co-chair of the Kurdish People's Council in the UK, Kurdish politician and author Ali Poyraz, and activists Ercan Akbal, Agit K., Berfin K., Mazlum S. and Doğan K.

The Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) in the Haringey district was sealed off by the police after the operation which coincided with the founding anniversary of the PKK. The police occupation of the Kurdish Community Centre ended on 5 December, and the barricades around the building were removed.

While one of the detainees was released two days ago, the other six will appear in court today after the finalization of procedures at the police station.

The Kurdish activists are being brought to Westminster Magistrates Court where they will be questioned and before a decision is made on whether they will be released or not. Kurds and their friends started to gather in front of the court building.

The Kurdish People's Assembly issued a statement saying that Kurdish activists are unjustly facing politically motivated charges at Westminster Magistrates Court.

The Assembly pointed out that the unprovoked police raid on the Kurdish Community Centre and the private homes of Kurdish political activists violated the dignity and safety of a community seeking refuge in the UK.

“This aggression is unacceptable and mirrors the systemic oppression many Kurds fled from. We reject these oppressive policies, which resemble tactics of authoritarian regimes. The UK's collaboration with the Turkish authorities undermines justice, human rights, and the very notion of democracy and values they claim to hold up,” said the statement.

The Kurdish People's Assembly stressed that: “Kurds came to the UK escaping persecution. It's appalling they face similar harassment here. We demand the immediate release of our friends and an end to these oppressive actions against the Kurdish community. We demand a public apology from the police for their mistreatment of the Kurdish community. Hands off the Kurds. Free our friends now.”