POLICE RAID Anthea and Kurdish friend - friend now missing

[Anthea]

POLICE RAID

Anthea and Kurdish businessman sitting in a café

So there we were, a well respected Kurdish businessman with businesses in more than one country, and myself

We have been friends for about 10 years and my friend was visiting London for a few days with his family

All of a sudden there were lots of police everywhere

My friend was made to go outside in the cold rain while they asked both him and me assorted questions

I remained inside in the warm while I was being questioned

Was it because I am white and look English, that I was not asked for any proof of identity

Or was it because they already knew exactly who I am

Because my friend was obviously not English and had a beard, he was asked many more questions and had to show the police many documents and proofs of identity

I have had Kurdish friends for over 30 years and been involved in running 2 Kurdish community centres but this is the FIRST TIME I have ever been questioned by the police in such a manner

I AM FURIOUS

[Piling]

In France both of you would have been spent 24 h in custody without knowing why

[Anthea]

I am never going to visit France

The excuse the police gave - as I was telling them exactly how much I HATE them:

Someone phoned the police saying they thought this man was trying to scam me and

steal my money, so they had to rush to McDonalds on force to save me from evil man

Do I think the police lie?

YES

Will I ever trust or believe the UK police?

NO

[Piling]

Someone phoned the police saying they thought this man was trying to scam me and

steal my money

I correct what I said about the French police : in that case, some days AFTER the call, a couple of cops might have visited you, style : "Everything OK ?"

Or never came

I thought it was a story of Kurdish activism or because of your friend's beard, a fear of islamism, lol.

[Anthea]

I correct what I said about the French police : in that case, some days AFTER the call, a couple of cops might have visited you, style : "Everything OK ?"

Or never came

I thought it was a story of Kurdish activism or because of your friend's beard, a fear of islamism, lol.

They lied

It really was a story of Kurdish activism or because of my friend's beard, a fear of islamism

A) They do NOT send 3 police cars - 6 police - to protect a woman they think might be at danger of being scammed by a Muslim man with a beard

B) We were just sitting laughing and joking

C) They asked my friend for all his papers - they did NOT ask me for any proof of identity - they knew who I am

[Piling]

DO you think Intelligence or police have followed him since the beginning of his journey ?

[Anthea]

DO you think Intelligence or police have followed him since the beginning of his journey ?

I think they were interested in my friend because he is not connected to any of the community groups I have been involved in

[Piling]

You should have said : well it is a new member in my Kurdish Harem.

[Anthea]

Not sure that they had a sense of humour

I did not want to make matters worse

I wanted my friend to be able to leave this NAZI country without any problems

[Anthea]

Sad to say that I have NOT heard from my friend recently

Is he still travelling between different countries, very possible
or
Is he still so angry about being questioned by the police that he is keeping quiet

I know how angry I am about Sunday

I am seriously thinking of leaving the UK

[Anthea]

I am now deeply concerned having heard nothing from my friend

Did my friend have problems when he returned to Turkey?

Turkey is NOT a safe country in which to be Kurdish

Kurdish activists are more likely to be arrested now than they were 10 years ago

Kurds have to be very careful what they say and do inside Turkish borders

Kurds rely on those no-long in Turkey to gain international support

Kurds inside Turkish borders really believe those who have left Turkey are working to gain support for Kurdistan

Sadly, on leaving Turkey, many Kurds become lazy and do nothing to support Kurds still under Turkish occupation and tend to forget where they come from and the destruction of their people and lands

[Piling]

I am seriously thinking of leaving the UK

After having supported Brexit ? lol

Your friend might not want to put you in trouble anymore and then stop the contact for a while.

Or he does not want to be put in trouble by meeting you, thinking you are watched

[Anthea]

Your friend might not want to put you in trouble anymore and then stop the contact for a while.

Or he does not want to be put in trouble by meeting you, thinking you are watched

The latter probably - he may well be putting himself at risk by being my friend

I have had Kurdish friends for more than 30 years and I am sure that most of them are known to the security services

There are spies in the community centres and spies within the many political parties that involve themselves within those centres

The security services take photos of everyone entering those centres or attend meetings

In all those years I am one of an EXTREMELY small group of people, Kurds and others, who have friends in ALL parts of Kurdistan and have NO strong allegiances to any Kurdish political party or group

That makes me a person of interest

Any Kurd previously unknown to security services, especially one who has travelled extensively, is bound to be of interest

[Anthea]

4 WEEKS NO NEWS

4 weeks since my friend and I were harassed by British police

My friend has not been in contact

Turkey is NOT a safe place

Did my friend return to Turkey?

Has he had problems in Turkey?

Did he decide to go to another country?

I can do little but wait and hope my friend has not joined the disappeared

[Piling]

I bet he was afraid, ran and hide… as a shy rabbit