The Freedom for Öcalan Vigil has been ongoing since 2012, demanding an end to the isolation system on İmralı Island and the physical freedom of Öcalan, continues into its 677th week with a new group.

The vigil is held in Strasbourg, where institutions like the Council of Europe, the CPT, and the European Court of Human Rights are located.

The vigil is carried out weekly by different groups, all demanding the lifting of the isolation imposed on Öcalan and securing his physical freedom.

This week’s vigil was taken over by four Kurds from the St. Gallen region of Switzerland. The new group consists of Nedim Çorak, Taylan Akdemir, Ahmet Özyaşardilok, and Deniz Erkılıç.

Group spokesperson Nedim Çorak said: "Our main goal is to see our Leader among us." Çorak called on the Kurdish people and the international community to support the process initiated by Öcalan’s historic call on 27 February, saying: "Supporting the new paradigm will bring with it the freedom of the Kurdish people and the freedom of all oppressed peoples."

Çorak also urged the Turkish state to act swiftly, saying: "To ensure this process is not sabotaged, the necessary steps must be taken."