Iran denies involvement in PKK killings in Paris

ISTANBUL

Ramin Mehmanparast DHA photo

Iran dismissed yesterday accusations of involvement in the recent killing of three Kurdish women in Paris to derail peace talks between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), according to the IRNA news agency.

“Media outlets close to the Zionists have been trying for years to turn public opinion in Turkey against Iran. However, they have failed due to deep bonds between the peoples and governments of the two countries,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the establishment of peace between governments and ethnicities, and supports the [peace] process which has started in Turkey,” he said.

“The relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey have always been based on mutual respect and good neighborly relations. Such an attitude causes Iran to consider Turkey’s stability, territorial integrity and security as its own,” Mehmanparast said.

Sakine Cansız, a founding member of the PKK, Fidan Doğan and Leyla Söylemez were killed in an execution-style hit at the Kurdish Information Center in Paris on Jan. 9.

Independent Kurdish deputy Ahmet Turk, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Diyarbakır deputy Galip Ensarioğlu and some local media have claimed that Iran was behind the killings.

Earlier this month, the Turkish government and the PKK agreed on starting peace talks to end nearly three decades of hostility.