Prosecutors in France are reported to have filed preliminary murder and terrorism charges against a Turkish citizen who worked as a driver for one of three Kurdish activists who were killed in Paris earlier this month. The suspect, identified as Omer Guney, 30, drove for the most prominent victim, Sakine Cansiz, a woman in her 50s who helped found the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, an armed group seeking autonomy for Turkey’s Kurds. The other two victims were identified as Leyla Soylemez and Fidan Dogan, Kurdish activists in their 20s. Guney has told investigators he has been a member of the PKK for two years, Francois Molins, prosecutor, said on Monday. Guney has denied all the charges. There is “serious and corroborating evidence” to show that Guney had a role in the January 9 killings, Molins said. The preliminary charges of murder in connection with a terrorist operation and conspiracy were filed against Guney, who is being detained, Molins said. Guney was one of two ethnic Kurds detained by French authorities last week. The other man has been released without charge. Monday’s move opens the way to a fuller investigation which would lead to formal charges, if sufficient evidence is found. If there is not enough evidence to support suspicions, the preliminary charges will be dropped.
