EP hosts photo exhibition of terrorist group figures

By Hasan Esen

BRUSSELS

With the March 22 Brussels terrorist attacks still fresh in many minds, a new photo exhibition at the European Parliament features the so-called leaders and members of PKK and PYD terrorist organizations.

Around 30 photographs show PKK, PYD, and YPG terrorists in northern Syria, with certain regions labelled "cantons" in the captions.

A large 2013 photograph of PKK head Abdullah Ocalan -- convicted in 1999 of terrorism and treason, and currently serving out a life sentence -- is also displayed in the exhibit.

The photographs were taken by Austrian political scientist and cultural anthropologist Thomas Schimidinger, and the exhibit is hosted by Josef Weidenholzer, vice-president of the EP’s Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats group.

The pictures, which purport to represent "important figures and historical events in the development of Rojava," a name given to regions of northern Syria, will be exhibited from July 11 until July 15, according to Weidenholzer’s official website.

Turkey has repeatedly criticized such displays as serving to promote terrorist groups in European countries, reiterating that the PKK is also listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU.

This March -- prior to the March 22 terrorist attacks -- on the eve of a Turkey-EU summit, the Belgian government allowed supporters of the terrorist organization PKK to pitch tents near the EU Council building in Brussels.

Afterwards, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized Belgium for tolerating terrorist groups, saying that they deserve to be treated just like Daesh, and that failing to do so shows a double standard.

Although Belgium says it is taking an active role in combating terrorism, terrorist organizations, the PKK and DHKP-C in particular, are very active in the country.

Several PKK figures reportedly live in Belgium, and there are also pro-PKK TV channels.

In June, Turkish officials protested YPG flags hanging on doors and walls in the European Parliament.

*Anadolu Agency Correspondent Humeyra Atilgan Buyukovali contributed to this report from Istanbul.