BRUSSELS: Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has reported that the PKK, a terrorist organization, is actively involved in drug trafficking and human smuggling across Europe, generating significant financial resources from these illegal activities. The agency’s findings underscore the ongoing presence and impact of ethno-nationalist and separatist terrorist groups within EU member states.
According to Anadolu Agency, Europol’s 2024 EU Terrorism Situation and Trends Report reveals that the PKK continues to engage in fundraising, recruitment, training, and propaganda activities throughout the year in various EU countries. The report indicates that while some funds are raised through seemingly legitimate means such as donations, events, and sales, a substantial portion is derived from criminal activities, including extortion, fraud, racketeering, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
The report estimates that the PKK collects millions of euros annually under the pretense of “campaigns” acro
ss Europe. These funds are primarily allocated to support propaganda efforts and the recruitment of new members. The report also highlights the group’s use of media outlets, some of which are based in the EU, to spread its propaganda, particularly targeting Kurdish youth via various platforms such as websites, TV, social media, and print media.
Furthermore, the report mentions evidence of the PKK’s involvement in abducting individuals to either dispatch them to conflict zones or incorporate them into terrorist cells within the EU. In 2023, EU law enforcement agencies conducted 25 arrests related to separatist terrorism, with nine of these arrests specifically targeting PKK members.