Germany arrests ex-footballer on organised crime, drug charges

German-born footballer Deniz Naki has been arrested for allegedly running a criminal organization in the German city of Aachen.
According to Welt newspaper, Aachen Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Jan Balthasar confirmed that two people were arrested for establishing a criminal organization, and both are PKK terror group sympathizers.

German state police suspect the criminal organization is involved in extortion and drug trafficking and provides funding to PKK.
However, Balthasar said, "We cannot currently confirm that financial resources are provided specifically for the PKK. If the PKK connection is found, the Federal Prosecutor's Office will look into the event."

Born in Germany, Naki, who is Kurdish, has previously played for Germany's FC St Pauli and SC Paderborn before joining the Amed Sportive Activities Club in Turkey.

He was sentenced in absentia in Turkey three years ago for supporting PKK with "separatist and ideological propaganda."