Ankara summons German ambassador over pro-PKK rally in Cologne

ANKARA

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador in Ankara on Sept. 16 over a rally held in support of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Cologne. 

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, Martin Erdmann was called over the previous day’s rally during which about 3,000 pro-PKK demonstrators gathered at Deutzer Werft Square as part of a so-called international Kurdish festival. 

“We condemn the fact that permission was granted to organize an event by the PKK terrorist organization affiliated entities … in Cologne, Germany, and that terrorist propaganda was allowed,” read the statement.

It said that their strong reaction with regard to the event had been expressed to the German ambassador.
The statement also criticized the German authorities’ lack of action regarding the messages that were read aloud during the demonstration, which praised the organization and its leaders. 

Even though the German Interior Ministry updated its list of prohibited PKK symbols in March, the demonstrators carried banned posters of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and the symbols of the outlawed group. 

“Germany’s hypocritical approach to countering terrorism is most concerning in terms of global counter terrorism efforts,” said the statement.

The ministry urged Germany to adopt a “principled stand against all kinds of terrorism.”

On March 19, Turkey summoned the German ambassador again, in order to express its anger at a Frankfurt rally where protesters brandished PKK insignia, the presidential spokesman said.

Some 30,000 pro-PKK protesters attended the rally where demonstrators called for a “no” vote in the April 16 constitutional referendum.