The National: PKK Threatens and Extorts Kurds, Exploits Natural Disasters, and Profits from Drug Trade to Raise Funds

ARK News.. The National has revealed that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) operates an extensive financial network across Europe, raising funds through illegal means including extortion, threats, the exploitation of natural disasters, as well as involvement in drug trafficking and organized crime.

Citing experts, legal evidence, and intelligence reports, The National detailed several cases illustrating the group's activities. In one instance, a Kurdish individual in Stockholm threatened a business owner at gunpoint to force payment to the PKK. In another case, a man in France was reportedly told his legs would be broken if he refused to pay. In Paris, 11 individuals were convicted of extortion and illegal fundraising in support of the PKK and its terrorist activities.

The report added that in Sweden, a Kurdish man threatened a restaurant owner in Stockholm with a firearm, demanding money on behalf of PKK militants. Investigations later revealed that a senior PKK figure had made a special visit to Stockholm to personally collect extorted funds from the same merchant.

In Germany, authorities have acknowledged that annual fundraising for the PKK amounts to as much as €17 million.

The National further reported that European intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned about the PKK’s involvement in narcotics trafficking. Europol has identified drug trade as the group’s primary source of financing.

Dutch sociologist Joost Jongerden, who has spent years studying PKK operations, stated that the organization imposes levies on many Kurds in Europe and has exploited disasters—such as the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria—to raise millions of euros.

He emphasized that fundraising remains a central pillar of the PKK’s strategy to expand its presence and network across Europe.

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