Europol: The PKK is involved in crimes, including drug trafficking, in Europe to secure funding.

The European Union (EU) police agency Europol reported that the terrorist organization PKK has been involved in crimes such as drug trafficking and human smuggling in Europe, providing millions of euros in funding.

The 2024 EU Terrorism Situation and Trends Report published by Europol stated that "ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorist groups, including the PKK, continue to be active in the EU."

PKK'S FINANCIAL SOURCES ATTRACT ATTENTION

The report noted that members and cells of the PKK living in EU countries continue to engage in fundraising, recruiting new members, training, and propaganda activities throughout the year, stating, "It is believed that most of the funds raised for the PKK come from seemingly legitimate activities (donations, events, membership fees, sales of goods and media products, etc.) and from criminal activities such as extortion, fraud, racketeering, money laundering, or drug trafficking and human smuggling."

The report indicated that the terrorist organization collects millions of euros across Europe every year under the name of "campaigns," and that this money is used to promote the organization and recruit terrorists.

"PKK USES EU MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS FOR PROPAGANDA"

The report stated that the terrorist organization's propaganda, particularly targeting young people of Kurdish descent, spreads through activists and journalists, websites, television, social media, or print media, noting that "some of the media organizations used by the PKK to disseminate its propaganda are located in the EU."

The report expressed that there is evidence that the terrorist organization kidnaps people to send new members to conflict zones or to use in terrorist cells in the EU.

The report stated that out of 25 detentions made by EU law enforcement agencies for separatist terrorism offenses in 2023, 9 were related to PKK members.