Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Six on trial for PKK membership in UK
Six people are on trial in the UK for being part of the PKK, a group that has been banned in many countries.
The PKK has been fighting for a long time for independence or more rights for Kurds in Turkey.
The people on trial say they are not guilty.
They are also accused of organizing or speaking at meetings that support the PKK.
The PKK recently said they would stop fighting and give up their weapons, but they are still banned.
The trial will last for about three months.
Six Kurdish individuals are on trial in the UK for membership of the banned PKK.
Defendants also face charges of arranging or addressing meetings in support of the PKK.
The PKK was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Britain in 2001.
The PKK announced disarmament and disbandment in 2023 but remains widely banned.
The trial is expected to last up to three months, with all defendants pleading not guilty.
- Who
- Six Kurdish individuals: Ercan Akbal, Ali Boyraz, Agit Karatas, Berfin Kerban, Turkan Ozcan, Mazlum Sayak
- What
- Trial for membership of the banned PKK and related charges
- When
- Trial began on January 9, 2025, expected to last up to three months
- Where
- London, UK
- Why
- PKK is proscribed as a terrorist organisation in Britain since 2001
- Defendants
- Ercan Akbal, Ali Boyraz, Agit Karatas, Berfin Kerban, Turkan Ozcan, Mazlum Sayak
- Charges
- Membership of a proscribed organisation, arranging/addressing meetings in support of the PKK
- PKK Status
- Banned in Britain, Turkey, EU, and US
- Trial Duration
- Up to three months
- PKK's Recent Action
- Announced disarmament and disbandment in 2023