Claim: Feasibility Study Underway for PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s Residence on İmralı Island

A new and controversial claim has emerged amid the ongoing solution process: a feasibility study is reportedly being conducted for the construction of a residence for PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island.

The process, reignited following a call by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and a subsequent statement by Öcalan urging his organization to lay down arms and dissolve, continues to evolve with significant developments.

DEM Party Delegation Meets Erdoğan, Legal Talks Delayed

One of the recent turning points in the process was a meeting between the İmralı Delegation of the DEM Party and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Following this meeting, DEM Party MPs were expected to meet with the Minister of Justice to discuss potential legal arrangements. However, these talks were postponed due to the health issues of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a key figure in the delegation.

Status of Abdullah Öcalan: A Central Debate

The status and conditions of Abdullah Öcalan remain one of the most hotly debated topics within the process. On October 15, 2024, Bahçeli publicly addressed the idea of granting Öcalan “hope,” referencing the possibility of legal mechanisms that might alter his sentence.

In parallel, the DEM Party has repeatedly called for improvements to Öcalan’s physical conditions in prison, framing it as a humanitarian and political necessity within the scope of reconciliation.

Sözcü: House Construction Being Considered

In a recent report, Sözcü newspaper brought forward a striking new claim: a residence may be constructed for Öcalan on İmralı Island, where he is currently serving a life sentence. The report suggests that if Öcalan is granted a legal right to “hope,” which may not entail immediate release, he could still remain on the island due to security considerations.

According to these claims, preparations have begun, and relevant authorities have initiated feasibility studies for the planned residence.