Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS6041
2006-09-08 15:15:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Paris
Cable title:
TWO PKK MEMBERS INDICTED IN FRANCE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0014 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHFR #6041 2511515 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 081515Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY PARIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1142 INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA IMMEDIATE 0745
S E C R E T PARIS 006041
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2016
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN FR
SUBJECT: TWO PKK MEMBERS INDICTED IN FRANCE
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JOSIAH ROSENBLATT
FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)
S E C R E T PARIS 006041
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2016
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN FR
SUBJECT: TWO PKK MEMBERS INDICTED IN FRANCE
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JOSIAH ROSENBLATT
FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)
1. (S/NF) According to French Ministry of Interior officials,
police arrested two men on July 24, 2006 with connections to
the Kongra-Gel: Esref Yolcu (born May 1, 1971 in Varto) and
Cemal Aslan (born January 2, 1965 in Varto). The two men
were detained and questioned as they were attempting to
exchange 197,000 Euro of small bills into US dollars. The
bank notes tested positive for traces of heroine and cocaine,
triggering the arrest.
2. (S/NF) Esref Yolcu is known by authorities for having
housed leaders of the Kongra-Gel movement, as well as
supplying them with a cellular phone. According to the
French, Cemal Aslan participated in several PKK rallies in
1993 and 1996 and financed the travels of supporters to
protests in 2000 and 2001. He also housed leaders and
fund-raisers of the organization.
3. (S/NF) In a search of Cemal Aslan's home, French law
enforcement officials found four books written by Abdullah
Ocalan, numerous portraits of him, calendars bearing Ocalan's
picture, a book on the PAJK, works discussing war and
numerous photos of PKK guerrillas taken in the Kandil
mountains. In a separate search of Esref Yolcu's home,
officials uncovered 115,000 Euros in small notes of five,
then, and twenty, along with portraits of Ocalan.
4. (S/NF) During their hearing, the two men described
themselves as PKK sympathizers who participated in all
protests organized by the group in France and Europe. Cemal
Aslan also admitted to being an elder in the High Commission
of Justice of the Kurdish Community in Yvelines, France.
Both men, however, denied that the money came from the PKK
and explained that the large sum of cash they had was from
the sale of a friend's property who asked them to take the
money from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to France.
5. (S/NF) Cemal Aslan and Esref Yolcu were indicted and
incarcerated on July 28, 2006. They are charged with money
laundering in an organized group, terrorist financing, and
criminal association.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2016
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN FR
SUBJECT: TWO PKK MEMBERS INDICTED IN FRANCE
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JOSIAH ROSENBLATT
FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)
1. (S/NF) According to French Ministry of Interior officials,
police arrested two men on July 24, 2006 with connections to
the Kongra-Gel: Esref Yolcu (born May 1, 1971 in Varto) and
Cemal Aslan (born January 2, 1965 in Varto). The two men
were detained and questioned as they were attempting to
exchange 197,000 Euro of small bills into US dollars. The
bank notes tested positive for traces of heroine and cocaine,
triggering the arrest.
2. (S/NF) Esref Yolcu is known by authorities for having
housed leaders of the Kongra-Gel movement, as well as
supplying them with a cellular phone. According to the
French, Cemal Aslan participated in several PKK rallies in
1993 and 1996 and financed the travels of supporters to
protests in 2000 and 2001. He also housed leaders and
fund-raisers of the organization.
3. (S/NF) In a search of Cemal Aslan's home, French law
enforcement officials found four books written by Abdullah
Ocalan, numerous portraits of him, calendars bearing Ocalan's
picture, a book on the PAJK, works discussing war and
numerous photos of PKK guerrillas taken in the Kandil
mountains. In a separate search of Esref Yolcu's home,
officials uncovered 115,000 Euros in small notes of five,
then, and twenty, along with portraits of Ocalan.
4. (S/NF) During their hearing, the two men described
themselves as PKK sympathizers who participated in all
protests organized by the group in France and Europe. Cemal
Aslan also admitted to being an elder in the High Commission
of Justice of the Kurdish Community in Yvelines, France.
Both men, however, denied that the money came from the PKK
and explained that the large sum of cash they had was from
the sale of a friend's property who asked them to take the
money from Rotterdam, Netherlands, to France.
5. (S/NF) Cemal Aslan and Esref Yolcu were indicted and
incarcerated on July 28, 2006. They are charged with money
laundering in an organized group, terrorist financing, and
criminal association.
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm
STAPLETON