The trial of Kurdish activists accused of “membership in the PKK” has begun with a preliminary hearing at London’s high-security Old Bailey Court. The main trial is scheduled to take place with a jury in January 2026.
A timetable was set for both the prosecution and defense. The main trial is expected to begin with a jury in January 2026. In addition, on 7 November and 12 December 2025, the court will hold preparatory sessions ahead of the hearings.
On the morning of 27 November last year, in an operation involving hundreds of British police officers, the Kurdish Community Centre in London and the homes of many Kurdish activists were raided with doors broken down. In the raids, 7 Kurdish activists were detained, and the Kurdish Community Centre was placed under blockade. One of those detained was released at the police station a week ago, while Ercan Akbal, Türkan Özcan, Ali Poyraz, Agit Karataş, Mücahit Sayak, and Berfin Kurban were brought to court after 14 days of detention. Mücahit Sayak was remanded in custody, while the other activists were released on conditional bail. Following an appeal by the lawyers, Sayak was also released on conditional bail.
Harsh bail conditions
For about ten months, the activists have been living under strict probation conditions. They are monitored with electronic tags, placed under house arrest outside daytime hours, and required to sign in at the police station daily. In addition, they are strictly forbidden from meeting with one another or going to the Kurdish Community Centre.
Support outside the court
While the defendants and their lawyers attended the preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey, a group gathered outside to show support for the Kurdish activists. In the hearing presided over by Rebecca Trowler KC, the defendants were charged with “membership in the PKK” and “organizing meetings on behalf of the organization.”
The Kurdish activists rejected the charges. During the session, the trial process, the procedures to be followed, and the next steps were discussed and decided between the parties.
Arrest warrant for Akbal lifted
Meanwhile, the arrest warrant issued for Ercan Akbal, who had failed to return home on time after a meeting with his lawyers the previous day, was lifted by the court.