Handan Kazancı
21 January 2016•Update: 21 January 2016
ISTANBUL
Turkish police apprehended at least 31 people, suspected of financially supporting terrorist organization PKK on early Thursday in Istanbul.
Istanbul police’s anti-terror branch backed by helicopters raided 36 addresses across 22 districts of the city including the suburbs of Kagithane and Esenyurt in simultaneous operations.
According to the police, the suspects collected money from smugglers and gamblers to transfer to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization also by the U.S. and the EU.
Police said that 60,000 Turkish liras in cash (around $ 20,000), a cheque in the amount of 1,250,000 Turkish liras ($ 410,226), an unregistered pump-rifle as well as organizational documents were seized during the operation.
Police said two other people were detained in Turkey's western province of Kocaeli and eastern Mus in relation with Thursday's operation.
The PKK renewed its armed campaign against the Turkish state in late-July, since when more than 200 members of the security forces have been martyred.
