Dead PKK activist’s driver is facing murder charge

Published on 22/01/2013 00:00

FRENCH prosecutors have filed preliminary murder and terrorism charges against a Turkish citizen who worked as a driver for one of three Kurdish activists who were gunned down earlier this month in Paris.

The suspect, identified yesterday as Omer Guney, 30, drove for the most prominent victim, Sakine Cansiz, a founding member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.

Guney told investigators he has been a member of the PKK for two years, prosecutor François Molins told reporters.

There is “serious and corroborating evidence” to show that Guney had a role in the 9 January killings, Mr Molins said.

The conflict between the PKK and government forces has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Recently, Turkish officials have been holding talks with the PKK in an effort to persuade it to disarm. Turkey’s government has said those opposed to such talks may have been involved in the Paris killings.