Mukaddes Kubilay, former Co-Mayor of Ağrı for the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), was released from Sincan Women's Closed Prison where she had been imprisoned since 2016.

Mukaddes Kubilay was welcomed by her family, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Ağrı MP Sırrı Sakık, DEM Party Ankara Provincial Organisation and women.

Mukaddes Kubilay said, "9 friends, 5 of whom have been imprisoned for 30 years, should be released, but unfortunately their release is postponed every six months. I hope that this injustice will be overcome as soon as possible and our friends will regain their freedom."

Mukaddes Kubilay entered active politics in 1990 and was elected Mayor of Doğubeyazıt district municipality in Ağrı in 1999 as the candidate of the People's Democracy Party (HADEP). Mukaddes Kubilay was re-elected mayor in the municipal elections in 2004 with a high percentage of votes. Having served until 2009, she was elected as mayor of Ağrı together with Sırrı Sakık in the 1 June 2014 elections.

On 22 December 2016, Mukaddes Kubilay was detained during a raid on her daughter's house and imprisoned on 26 December 2016. On 1 March 2017, the municipality was usurped and she was replaced by a trustee appointed by the government.

In the final trial held on 16 February 2018, Mukaddes Kubilay was sentenced to 8 years, 6 months and 15 days in prison for allegedly "being a member of an illegal organisation" and "making propaganda for an illegal organisation". The sentence was later upheld by Erzurum Regional Court of Appeals and the Court of Cassation. Mukaddes Kubilay's release was prevented many times by the Observation Board.