Netherlands seeks jail term for PKK supporter


Dutch prosecutors on Thursday sought a 20-month prison term for a PKK supporter over an attack on the Turkish Consulate in Amsterdam last summer.

The suspect, Ercan Polater, 36, threw three Molotov cocktails at the consulate on Aug. 11 last year, the Dutch Public Prosecutor's Office said in a written statement. It is said the Dutch court will announce its verdict on Feb. 14.

Polater was arrested by police following the attack, which caused minor damage to the building. No one was hurt in the attack. Polater has been wanted by Turkey since 2012 for his membership of the PKK terrorist group.

Security sources told Anadolu Agency that Polater had fled to the Netherlands. In 2004, he was caught in an anti-terror operation in the country but was later granted refugee status. He later traveled to other European countries and was arrested but was later freed due to his status as a refugee. In July 2012, Polater was arrested in Bulgaria on Ankara's request but was not extradited to Turkey due to his refugee status.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.