In a joint police operation against the PKK terrorist organization, France has arrested 15 and Spain six Kurdish suspects.
France has detained 15 suspects in an operation into PKK financing. French anti-terrorism police teams have arrested 15 suspects for extortion and money laundering for the terrorist organization in an investigation initiated to reveal PKK financing sources in Bordeaux.
Meanwhile, Spain's Ministry of Interior has also announced that in an operation entitled 'Cappadocia,' they have arrested six individuals for providing financial and logistical support to the PKK.
"National police officers have broken up the financing and extortion system of the Kurdish terrorist organization PKK in Spain," stated the interior ministry, announcing that in 11 separate raids, four suspects in Madrid, one in Murcia and one in Barcelona have been arrested on suspicion of involvement with the PKK terrorist organization. Spanish authorities say the suspects were involved with forced extortion of funds used to finance the PKK's armed struggle. Two weapons and 28,000 euros were confiscated during the operation, which is currently ongoing.
Spanish sources say the funds were used to purchase weapons and explosives for the terrorist organization's armed struggle in Turkey. Authorities say that the French operation which led to 15 arrests paralleling the operation in Spain is a result of collaboration between international police organizations.