Turkey: Senior PKK member sentenced to almost 18 years

ISTANBUL

Turkish judges on Wednesday sentenced a fugitive member of the terrorist PKK to nearly 18 years in prison.

Istanbul’s 25th High Criminal Court convicted and sentenced Sara Aktas of spreading terrorist propaganda and playing a senior role in the terrorist group.

After being arrested on Nov. 27, 2016 at Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Aktas was later released by authorities, and was convicted Wednesday in absentia.

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 many women and children.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas in Ankara