Bodies of PKK members will be returned to Turkey after mass Paris protest
ISTANBUL
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The bodies of the three outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members who were killed Jan.9 in Paris will be brought back to Turkey, according to daily Hürriyet.The bodies will first be returned to Diyarbakir and from there will be sent separately to each of the murder victims' hometowns.
Sakine Cansiz, who was a founding member of the outlawed organization will be buried in Tunceli.
Fidan Dogan will be taken to Elbistan and Leyla Soylemez will be buried in Diyarbakir.
The families of the murdered women insisted on the return of the bodies to Turkey, according to daily Hürriyet.
Kurdish deputy speaks to embassy
Kurdish-focused Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) head Selahatting Demirtas met with Turkish diplomats in Paris to discuss the funeral transactions.
Embassy officials told Demirtas that if the necessary documents were fulfilled, the return of the bodies could proceed with out further trouble.
The bodies will be delivered to the familes following a large gathering in Paris today.
Thousands gather in Paris
Thousands of Kurds and PKK supporters gathered in Paris today, including Diyarbakir Deputy Leyla Zana.
European PKK representatives, Zubeyiz Aydar and Remzi Kartal were also present at the protest.
The crowds chanted slogangs of revenge, according to daily Hürriyet.
Security was tightened in Paris ahead of the event.