Man formally charged with heading PKK local activities in Germany

German prosecutors say they have formally charged a 58-year-old Turkish citizen with "membership of a foreign terrorist organization" for his role in the PKK.

Prosecutors said Wednesday that Bedrettin K., whose last name wasn't given in line with privacy laws, is suspected of being a regional leader of the PKK in Germany.

They say the man, using the codename "Ali," was responsible for PKK activities in various parts of Germany from 2012 until his arrest in August 2015, including collecting donations and organizing propaganda events.

The 58-year-old man has been charged with heading the PKK in areas including the German cities of Bremen, Hannover and Hamburg in 2014, and Düsseldorf, Köln and Bielefeld in 2015.

German prosecutors often announce charges several days after they are filed.

Bedrettin K. was reported to have been giving instructions to lower-ranking members and preparing reports for his seniors in the organization.

The PKK is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S., the European Union and Turkey.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the PKK started its fight in 1984 in southeast Turkey.