Turkish intelligence probes PKK killings in Paris

Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has commenced an investigation into the killings of three Kurdish female militants in Paris, according to sources in the spy agency.

“The relevant unit of the organization is investigating the incidents. We have to wait a couple of days to get a clearer picture,” a source from MİT told the Hürriyet Daily News on January 11. The organization is closely following the aftermath of the killings, but the source declined to comment on whether the agency is seeking to exchange information with the French secret service over the incident. “The organization has different methods in tackling the issue.” 

Sakine Cansız, one of the founding members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK); Fidan Doğan, the Brussels-based Kurdistan National Congress’ (KNK) Paris representative; and Kurdish activist Leyla Söylemez were murdered on January 9 in an execution-style hit just as the Turkish government has launched a new round of talks with the PKK’s imprisoned chief, Abdullah Öcalan. The three were found dead in the office of the Kurdistan Information Center on Rue Lafayette in Paris next to the Gare de Nord. They were all shot in the head.