Camps built in Germany, Austria to win new members for PKK, reports reveal

The reports, which are based on intelligence on threats concerning the democratic order in each of these countries, were disclosed by German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich and by Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

According to the reports, the main goal of PKK activities in Europe is to finance the administrative units of the terrorist organization and win new members to the ranks of the PKK.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU and the United States, has been waging a bloody war in Turkey's Southeast since 1984. More than 40,000 people have been killed in PKK attacks so far. The terrorist organization is based in northern Iraq and launches attacks on Turkey from its hideouts in this mountainous region. The PKK also operates in various European cities.

According to the reports, 44 people were detained in a PKK camp in Nideggen and the detainees included a 14-year-old boy, which refutes the PKK claims about the absence of “child militants” in its camps.

The reports noted that money collected by the PKK in Europe is used to finance ongoing activities in Europe, a significant part of it is transferred to Roj TV and PKK terrorists.

The PKK organizes programs both in Germany and Austria to bring more people to its ranks, said the reports.

One point which is underlined in the reports is that PKK sympathizers are no longer very willing to make donations to the PKK.

“The financial situation of the PKK in Austria is troublesome [for the PKK]. There are problems concerning the mobilization of PKK sympathizers. Their willingness to aid the PKK falls constantly,” said the reports.

The reports also draw attention to the contradictory attitudes of the PKK in Europe as the terrorist organization seems to adopt a pro-peace attitude on one side, while it still perpetuates its armed struggle.

A Molotov cocktail attack by supporters of the PKK at the Zaman daily's office in Cologne earlier this year also made its way into the reports.

Regarding the organizations which support the activities of the PKK, the reports cite the Die Linke (a leftist party in Germany) and say a demonstration by an umbrella organization of the PKK, YEK-KOM, which was not allowed, was held by the extreme left-wing German foundations.

Members of parliament from Die Linke attend the PKK's programs as speakers and Die Linke's candidates in the elections are supported by pro-PKK media.

According to the reports, the PKK is trying to win support among the 800,000 people of Kurdish origin in Germany and although the activities of the PKK are banned, 13,000 people are loyal members of the PKK under various foundations.