Öcalan Moved to New Location on İmralı Island, DEM Party Says

DEM Party lawmaker and İmralı delegation member Mithat Sancar said Abdullah Öcalan has moved to a new place prepared for him on İmralı Island. He said the development requires the peace process to speed up.

Sancar told Medya Haber TV that Öcalan’s acceptance of the move is important for the ongoing process. He said Öcalan will work with the Peace and Politicalisation Council.

“The process does not proceed with one-sided expectations and demands. Mr. Öcalan will make the move that will solve the main knot.”

Sancar said the process has been stalled for the last two months. He said certain dates were discussed but the expected steps were not taken.

DEM Party lawmaker Pervin Buldan said the change of Öcalan’s section does not by itself mean a change in status. She said there had been no meeting with Öcalan since their last encounter and described a blockage.

Sancar said the relevant council should visit İmralı after steps taken by the Kurdish movement. He called on the government to move away from a strict attitude and said the process cannot proceed with one-sided expectations.

Sancar said journalists should be able to meet Abdullah Öcalan to end public misinformation and speculation. He said some polls and publications have clouded the public atmosphere.

Sancar said the government has not shown a sufficient approach to strengthen social support for the process.