Germany bans propaganda tools of PKK terrorism
THE Mesopotamia Publishing House, known as “Mezopotamien Verlag” and MIR Multimedia, two propaganda apparatuses of the PKK terrorist organization in Germany, were banned and dissolved yesterday, the German interior ministry announced.
GERMANY took action against the PKK yesterday by banning two major propaganda tools of the terrorist organization yesterday.
The German interior ministry announced that the Mesopotamia Publishing House, originally known as “Mezopotamien Verlag” and MIR Multimedia, which were operating under the control of the PKK, were banned and dissolved.
Mesopotamia had published content propagating the terrorist organization, including the book of the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. MIR, on the other hand, is known for its work in the multimedia sector, where it organizes music concerts and events that serve to distribute PKK propaganda.
The two organizations were based in Germany’s western states of North RhineWestphalia and Lower Saxony.
Following the bans, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said, “As the PKK is still active despite being banned in Germany, it is necessary to rein in the PKK and uphold our legal system.”
He said that the two organizations used their earnings solely to support the PKK which has been outlawed as a foreign terrorist group in Germany since 1993.
Turkey has long criticized German authorities for tolerating PKK activities in the country and has pressured Berlin to take stricter measures against propaganda, recruitment and fundraising activities by the group.
The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.
Despite its international status as a terrorist organization, the PKK has enjoyed relative freedom in European cities and has a particularly strong presence in Germany. PKK supporters have been allowed to hold rallies, recruit militants and collect funds in Germany, which is home to some 5 million people of Turkish origin, including Kurds.