London anti-terror raids lead to fierce street protests and multiple arrests
Police detained six people linked to PKK group in north London raids‚ which triggered protests near Kurdish center. Four more protesters got arrested after clashes with law-enforcement officers
British counter-terror units raided eight places in north London including Kurdish Community Centre in Haringey district. The operation (which happened early morning) resulted in arrests of six people aged 23-62 who police think are connected to PKK militant group
Around 11am protestors started gathering near the community centre shouting pro-kurdish slogans; the situation got heated when police tried to move them somewhere else. Four more people got arrested during these clashes - they were charged with different offences like threatening officers and causing public disorder
Acting Commander Helen Flanagan from Metʼs Counter-terrorism unit explained: “We believe theres terrorist activity linked to PKK here - our job is protecting all communities including Turkish and Kurdish ones“
We strongly condemn this unjust and heavy-handed raid conducted by British police on our community spaces
The Kurdish centre might stay closed for about two weeks while police do their work. PKK which mostly works in south-east Turkey and northern Iraq has been illegal in UK since early 2000s. The police say theyll keep talking with local people to address their worries about the raids
- Support for banned group
- Attacking emergency worker
- Death threats
- Racist public disorder
Law-enforcement officers are still checking all eight places they raided‚ looking for evidence that could help their investigation. Local cops will stay in area for next few days to talk with worried residents
