Call for expansion of struggle against torture in İmralı

Emphasising that the so-called ‘disciplinary penalties’ given to Öcalan are a continuation of the torture and genocide policies, the Initiative for the Freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan called for an increase in the struggle.

Yet another disciplinary penalty has been imposed on the Kurdish People’s Leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who is imprisoned in the Turkish high-security prison on Imrali Island. The latest measure against Öcalan was revealed by the Istanbul-based Asrin Law Office, which represents Öcalan and his three fellow prisoners, after its application for a visitation permit for family members. The Bursa Court of Execution responded by stating that on 16 October, a three-month disciplinary sanction had been ordered against Öcalan. No information was provided regarding the grounds for the sanction. 

The Syrian Initiative for the Freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan stated that the successive ‘penalties’ imposed in İmralı, which have no legal basis, are a clear indication of the severe isolation policy implemented by the Turkish state.

“On the one hand, they claim that they want to start a peace process between Kurds and Turks, on the other hand, they are bombing and destroying Kurdish areas in Northern and Eastern Syria, Southern Kurdistan and Shengal with drones, warplanes and heavy weapons. Kurds are accused of terrorism and new disciplinary sanctions are being imposed on Leader Abdullah Öcalan,” said the statement made by the Initiative on Sunday.

The Initiative emphasised that the struggle within the framework of the global campaign ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’, which has entered its second year, should be expanded. The statement called on international institutions, organisations and councils to fulfil their responsibilities against the Turkish state's torture in İmralı.