Kurds Arrested After Paris Attack on Turks

PARIS (Reuters)–Police said on Thursday they had arrested five Turks of Kurdish origin following a violent attack on a group of Turks attending a protest march in Paris last Saturday.

Eighteen people were injured when a mob armed with baseball bats attacked the Turks who were protesting against a bill before parliament which condemns the 1915 mass slaying of Armenia’s as genocide.

The five arrested Kurds–who were seized late Wednesday night and are believed to be close to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)–face charges of belonging to a "terrorist association" and committing violent acts.

Saturday’s demonstration was organized by the Union of Turkish Associations in France after the National Assembly last month approved a controversial bill stating: "France publicly recognizes the Armenian genocide of 1915."

As demonstrators gathered at a public park–they were set upon by about 60 to 80 people armed with bats and clubs–police said.


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