15 people have been arrested across Belgium in an operation against Turkish Kurd separatist group the Kurdistan Worker`s party or PKK.

Police sources say more than 300 officers raided more than two dozen addresses as well as the offices of the Kurdish broadcaster ROJ Television.

“Everyone knows about the Turkish government’s attitude towards press freedom, not only in Turkey but also abroad” said one journalist.

The PKK wants a Kurdish homeland in southeastern Turkey. It is regarded as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the EU and the US.

“All countries have a responsibility to work together to defeat terrorism. It is good to see that Belgium is acting in line with its obligations in the fight against international terrorism.” said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davotoglu.

ROJ TV is banned in Turkey for its alleged links to the PKK. It broadcasts in Europe despite repeated requests from Ankara to shut it down.

Agency reports say 10 journalists, including the station’s local manager, have been detained.

Last night, officials filed prelimiminary charges
of associating with a terrorist enterprise against nine suspected Kurdish militants arrested in France last week.

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