In a significant political development, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan on Tuesday formally petitioned Turkey’s Justice Ministry for permission to meet Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan at İmralı Island Prison. The move comes after the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, during a party meeting earlier in the day, urged direct engagement between DEM Party representatives and Öcalan to clarify his stance on ongoing issues.
Bakırhan emphasised their intent to hear Öcalan’s thoughts on current processes and contribute to peace efforts. “We are determined to support this country’s peace by speaking directly with Mr Öcalan,” he said. DEM Party’s parliamentary group deputy, Gülistan Koçyiğit, confirmed via social media that the official request had reached the ministry, marking a pivotal moment in Turkey’s political landscape.
DEM Parti Eş Genel Başkanları Tuncer Bakırhan ve Tülay Hatimoğulları, İmralı’ya gitmek için Adalet Bakanlığı’na başvuru yapacak. pic.twitter.com/VvK6slD1ks
— Amed Dicle (@ameddicleT) November 26, 2024
