28 arrested in Turkey in anti-PKK raidsMay 28, 2012 - 13:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish police detained 28 suspects in simultaneous operations conducted in three provinces early on Monday, May 28 as part of a probe into the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella political organization that includes the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Today’s Zaman reported. According to information the National Police Department shared with the press, police raided several locations in Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır and İzmir, taking 28 people into custody for alleged links to the KCK. Police also seized a number of illegal publications, hard disks and PKK-related documents during the raids. The KCK investigation began in December 2009, and a large number of Kurdish politicians, including several mayors from the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), have been detained. The suspects are accused of various crimes, including membership in a terrorist organization, aiding and abetting a terrorist organization and attempting to destroy the country's unity and integrity. BDP officials have said the investigation is the government's method of suppressing BDP politicians, denying any links between the suspects and any terrorist organizations. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |