Turkish FM says Paris killings 'an internal PKK issue'

ANKARA

Ahmet Davutoğlu. AA Photo

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Jan. 21 there was “key information” proving that the killings of three Kurdish women in Paris were an internal issue of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“I can say that key information has been gathered. We can give further and more concrete information on this in the coming days,” Davutoğlu said in Ankara. “That was the initial direction all along,” he said when asked whether the killings of Sakine Cansız – one of the founders of the PKK – Fidan Doğan and Leyla Söylemez on Jan. 9 were the result of an internal execution within the organization. “But this is a judicial process, and it is not right to talk about it until reaching the ultimate verdict.”

Suspect’s name released

Meanwhile, French Prosecutor François Molins confirmed that the only detained suspect is 30-year-old Ömer Güney from the Central Anatolian province of Sivas. Güney has been a member of the PKK for the past two years and was the last person to be seen with Cansız on the security cameras.
 
Molins also said all three women were killed with one gun, adding that the reason for the murder had not yet been determined. Also, French police found gunshot residue on the suspect’s coat, while it was aslo revealed that the suspect attended a demonstration called “Freedom for Öcalan” in March 2012.

The suspect might also have some psychological disorders, sources said. French police had detained two suspects, aged 39 and 30, on Jan. 17 in connection with the killings, French daily Le Parisien reported Jan. 18. The second suspect was released yesterday.

There were also reports that one of the suspects had a 46-minute gap in his testimony.
There is a chance that assassinations similar to the one in Paris may take place in Germany, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy chair Mehmet Ali Şahin has said.

Şahin said such killings were aimed at sabotaging the peace process, Doğan news agency reported. “I’m afraid Germany may face similar incidents in the coming days,” he said, adding that the people were eager for the process to end with the PKK laying down its arms. Germany is the country with the largest Turkish population outside Turkey. “The problem must be solved,” Şahin said. “The terrorist organization and its leader understand that they will not gain ground in this way … 2012 was a bad year for them. They used to employ ‘hit and run’ tactics, but in 2012 they tried ‘hit and stay’ tactics, which failed. Through coordination, our soldiers, police and intelligence officers ruined their plans. The struggle against terrorism will continue for as long as terrorism exists. They [the PKK] are told: lay down arms.”