HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba- Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Riha (Urfa) MP Ömer Öcalan announced on the social media platform X that he met Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on October 23, 2024 in the prison island of Imrali; first contact with Abdullah Öcalan after 44 months. Since then, the family members and lawyers of Abdullah Öcalan have applied to meet him; however, they have received no response.

‘What is happening in Imrali is a form of torture’

Selwa Zênki, a displaced woman of Afrin living in Shahba, commented on the isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the disciplinary punishments against him. “Leader Apo met his family member after 44 months. We felt relieved when we heard about this meeting. What is happening in Imrali is a form of torture. The Turkish state inflicts disciplinary punishments against leader Apo. We demand the physical freedom of leader Apo.”

“Our demand is the release of leader Apo from the prison island of Imrali,” said Dîcle Mihemed, another displaced woman of Afrin living in Shahba. “We organize protests, demanding his physical freedom.”

‘The freedom of leader Apo will solve all problems’

Sîlvane Hemo talked about the arrest of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in 1999. “His arrest was a violation of international law and conventions,” Sîlvane Hemo said, demanding the immediate release of Abdullah Öcalan.

“The Turkish state inflicts disciplinary punishments against leader Apo by violating international conventions. Thanks to the thoughts and ideology of leader Apo, women have recognized their identity. Leader Apo says ‘I have the theoretical and practical power to move this process from a ground of conflict and violence to a legal and political ground’. The freedom of leader Apo will solve all problems.”