Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan has confirmed that imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan has sent letters to key Kurdish political entities, ending speculation regarding whether he has been able to reach out to political actors outside his prison on İmralı Island.
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of the DEM Party’s Executive Board, Doğan said that letters were delivered to the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) in the Kandil mountains, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), and Kurdish diaspora organisations including the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) and the KCDK-E, a European umbrella body for Kurdish movements.
“Yes, Öcalan’s letters have reached Kandil, North and East Syria, and Europe. The relevant political bodies have also confirmed this. We have verified these messages,” Doğan said.
This revelation marks Öcalan’s first documented communication with external political structures in years, amid ongoing restrictions on his ability to meet with lawyers, family members or political representatives.
Öcalan’s messages come at a time of political uncertainty in Turkey, particularly following the removal of the elected DEM Party mayor of Van (Wan) and the state’s appointment of a trustee in his place, which has led to mass protests and police crackdowns.
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Doğan linked Öcalan’s communication to broader political manoeuvres targeting Kurdish actors in Turkey, warning that there is a concerted effort to prevent Kurds from playing a role in shaping the country’s future.
“There is a clear message: Kurds must not win, must not be elected, must not speak, and must not have a seat at any table,” she said, referring to recent legal actions against Kurdish politicians and activists.
The spokesperson also noted that despite this repression, Kurdish political actors continue to push for dialogue and political engagement, asking why Öcalan’s role in shaping a potential democratic political process remains so tightly restricted.
“If a democratic political process is truly in preparation, why is Öcalan’s participation so severely limited? Why are security operations, judicial pressures and threats still being used as leverage?” she asked.
Öcalan has been imprisoned on İmralı Island since 1999, and his detention has been widely condemned by human rights organisations. While Turkish authorities have allowed rare visits in recent months, there has been no official confirmation from the state regarding his letters.
The Kurdish leader’s past messages, particularly during the 2013-2015 peace process, played a critical role in shaping Kurdish-Turkish negotiations. Whether these newly disclosed letters signal a renewed attempt at political engagement or a different strategy remains unclear.
“We have had no direct contact with İmralı outside of our delegation’s permitted visit. These letters are part of a larger political discussion, and the relevant bodies will interpret and act on them accordingly,” Doğan concluded.
As Turkey navigates a tense political climate, Öcalan’s renewed outreach has sparked interest among analysts, with questions about how his messages will shape the Kurdish movement’s next steps.
