DEM Party MP and nephew of Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Öcalan, announced via his X account that he had visited İmralı Island yesterday and met with Abdullah Öcalan, marking the first face-to-face meeting with the imprisoned leader in 43 months. During the meeting, Abdullah Öcalan reportedly stated, “If conditions are met, I have the theoretical and practical power to steer this process away from conflict and violence, towards a legal and political framework.”
Ömer Öcalan had applied to the Ministry of Justice on August 14, 2024, requesting to meet his uncle, Abdullah Öcalan. In his X post, he shared that he had had a face-to-face meeting with Abdullah Öcalan yesterday on İmralı Island.
Ömer Öcalan’s post read as follows:
“The last face-to-face meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan took place on March 3, 2020. As a family, after many years, we were able to meet Mr. Öcalan on October 23, 2024. We want the routine family visit, which is a legal right, to continue regardless of circumstances.”
Request Accepted, Meeting Approved on October 22
The Ministry of Justice officially informed Ömer Öcalan on October 22 that his request had been accepted. Following this, Ömer Öcalan was instructed to be at the military pier in Mudanya, Bursa, yesterday. He was taken to İmralı Island by ferry in the morning.
Meeting Began in the Morning
The meeting between Abdullah Öcalan and Ömer Öcalan reportedly started at 11:00 a.m. and lasted until the afternoon. This meeting, held after a 43-month hiatus, drew significant attention both politically and publicly.
Important Message on Isolation Conditions
It is claimed that Abdullah Öcalan emphasized in the meeting that, if his isolation were lifted and he were allowed communication, he could play a role in ending armed conflict.
Öcalan’s First Message
Ömer Öcalan stated, “On October 23, I visited Mr. Öcalan at İmralı Island Prison. This visit took place within the framework of a family visit. During the meeting, Mr. Öcalan shared his thoughts on general political developments and wanted the following message to be conveyed to the public: The isolation continues. If conditions are met, I have the theoretical and practical power to shift this process from a basis of conflict and violence to a legal and political one. His health was good, and he sends his regards to everyone.”
