Stockholm: Tuesday saw the first Turkish national charged with "attempted terrorist financing" of the pro-Kurdish PKK in a Swedish court as Sweden sought Ankara's approval to join NATO.
Turkiye claims that Sweden is a haven for "terrorists," particularly PKK members, and has requested the extradition of numerous individuals.
The suspect, who is in his 40s, was detained in January after he fired a gun outside a Stockholm restaurant and made threats.
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The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is regarded as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, Sweden, the EU, and Washington, was the man's intended beneficiary, according to the prosecution.
The man's attorney, Ilhan Aydin, informed the court on Tuesday that although it's possible that his client had interactions with PKK-affiliated individuals, the man "has no ties to the movement personally."
On the eve of the trial, Aydin said to AFP, "My client would accept a weapons charge but rejects the allegations of aggravated extortion and attempting to fund (the PKK)."
In the meantime, the prosecutor claimed that the man was crucial to PKK activities in Sweden. The man had contacts with individuals who were directly involved in funding the PKK, according to the charge sheet, which also makes reference to evidence from French and German intelligence. The man was also said to have acted on behalf of the PKK.
In July of last year, Sweden tightened its anti-terrorism laws, making it simpler to prosecute financing of terrorist organisations.
The new law, which has already been applied in cases involving the Islamic State group, is being applied for the first time against a purported PKK supporter.
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After Russia invaded Ukraine in May of last year, Sweden and neighbouring Finland announced their intentions to join NATO, ending two centuries of neutrality and military non-alignment.
The only NATO members still to ratify Sweden's bid, which needs unanimous support, are Turkey and Hungary.