PKK suspect detained in Istanbul

A suspected Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) member was detained on Friday in Istanbul, along with 20 kilograms of plastic explosives that police believe that the suspect was planning to use in an attack. The seizure of explosives was part of an ongoing operation following the capture of an individual with 1.5 kilograms of plastic explosives connected to a remote control mechanism last month in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul – the city's main tourist district, an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.The PKK is believed to have been behind two bombings this summer in the Aegean tourist resorts of ÇeÅŸme and KuÅŸadası that killed five and injured dozens more. Seeking direct dialogue with the Ankara, the PKK announced a one month ceasefire on August 19. Following the announcement Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a landmark visit to Diyarbakir and vowed to improve economic conditions and offer greater cultural freedoms for Kurds. Turkish officials have not responded to the truce, however, and military officials have repeatedly said that they will fight until all PKK members surrender or are killed.Â