PKK terror group involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling in Europe: Europol

​​​​​By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, on Thursday reported that the PKK terrorist organization is involved in criminal activities such as drug trafficking and human smuggling in Europe, generating millions of euros in funding.

Europol's 2024 EU Terrorism Situation and Trends Report highlighted that ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorist groups, including the PKK, remain active in the EU.

The report mentioned that PKK members and cells in EU countries continue their fundraising, recruitment, training, and propaganda activities throughout the year.

"Most of the funds raised for the PKK are believed to originate from apparently legitimate activities (donations, events, membership fees, sales of goods and media products etc.), as well as from criminal activities such as extortion, fraud, racketeering, money laundering or drug trafficking,” the report stated.

The report noted that the terrorist group collects millions of euros annually under the guise of "campaigns" across Europe, with the funds being used for propaganda and recruiting terrorists.

The report also highlighted how the PKK’s propaganda, particularly targeting Kurdish youth, spreads through activists, journalists, websites, TV, social media, and print media.

"Some of the media outlets used by the PKK to disseminate its propaganda are based in the EU,” it said.

It was also mentioned that there is evidence the PKK is abducting individuals to send them to conflict zones or to use them in terrorist cells in the EU.

According to the report, in 2023, the EU law enforcement forces carried out 25 arrests related to separatist terrorism, 9 of which were targeted at PKK members.