Police probe over fears terror group being financed from Edinburgh
Counter-terror police in Edinburgh are carrying out a major investigation into fears a terror group is being financed from the city.
Counter-terror police in Edinburgh are carrying out a major investigation into fears a terror group is being financed from the city.
Officers in the Scottish capital have been leading a multi-agency investigation into claims that a number of individuals have been linked to the financing of Kurdish militia.
Police say they have carried out a number of raids as part of the probe, which includes allegations of fraud and immigration offences.
The investigation is reportedly being centred on the PKK, known as the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is based in Turkey and Iraq.
The PKK has led an armed struggle against the Turkish government on and off for the past 30 years and is considered a terrorist organisation by the United Kingdom.
A senior anti-terror officer has reassured the Scottish public that there was no-one in danger at any time. Detective Chief Superintendent Gerry McLean, head of the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said:
As part of a police investigation along with partner agencies, we executed a number of search warrants in relation to financial investigation and suspected fraud.
Matters have now been reported to the procurator fiscal, and as such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
I would like to reassure the public that there was no danger to them at any time.''
The Herald newspaper reported on Saturday that a formal written briefing has been issued by Police Scotland to the Scottish Police Authority, outlining the investigation so far.
The letter states: Elite organised crime and the counter terrorism units are leading a multi-agency investigation into individuals assessed to be fundraising for a proscribed terrorist organisation.
Executive action in collaboration with several partnership agencies was conducted in the east of Scotland.
Locations were searched under the Customs and Excise Management Act, Common Law Fraud and the Terrorism Act.
Subsequent investigation identified additional immigration act offences, with a significant sum of money potentially eligible for Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation.
This operation has provided investigative opportunities to allow continued collaboration with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Trading Standards and Home Office Immigration Enforcement.''
A report has now been sent to the procurator fiscal to assess whether to charge the individuals identified by the police.