URFA - Relatives of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has not been heard from on Imrali Island for 29 months, said: "We are worried about his health," and demanded action against the isolation.

 

PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who was brought to Turkey with an international conspiracy on February 15, 1999, has been held in Imrali Type F High Security Prison for 24 years under heavy isolation conditions. All applications made by the families and lawyers of Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Hayri Konar, Veysi Aktaş and Hamili Yıldırım, who have not been heard from in İmralı for 29 months, where the isolation that has turned into "absolute lack of communication" has been aggravated, is rejected with punishments given under the name of "discipline".

 

Relatives of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who lives in Amara Neighborhood in Xelfetî (Halfeti) district of Riha, said that the isolation is against the law, they are worried and that talks should be held as soon as possible.

 

'ISOLATION HAS NO MEANS IN THE LAW'

 

Mehmet Reşit Öcalan, 80, one of the relatives of the PKK Leader, stated that the isolation system in Imralı Prison is against the law and expressed that they are worried about Abdullah Öcalan's health. Öcalan said: "We had not heard from him for 29 months. We don't know how his health is. All prisoners have the right to see their families and lawyers, but Turkey is breaking its own law. We, as their relatives, do not accept this isolation. This isolation has no means either in Islam or in law."

 

'ISOLATION IS IMPOSED ON ALL KURDS'

 

Adding that the isolation on Imrali Island is being imposed on all Kurds, Öcalan said: "Not only the president is in isolation, but all Kurds are in isolation. There is not a single voice from those who call him 'I am the opposition' against this unlawfulness. There is no voice from anyone other than the Kurds. They need to resist and react more. Whoever can do whatever they can to end this isolation practice."

 

'WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH'

 

Abdullah Öcalan's nephew, Ali Öcalan, said that they were worried about his uncle's health. Drawing attention to the uninterrupted lack of communication for 29 months, Ali Öcalan said: "We have not heard from him for 29 months. As a family, we are worried about his health. A lawyer and his family need to meet urgently now. This isolation system, which is also against Turkey's own law, must end immediately. The fact that we, as a family, have not heard from Mr. Abdullah Öcalan's health condition raises our concerns day by day."

 

CALL FOR SENSITIVITY TO THE PUBLIC

 

Calling for awareness of legal organizations and the public to end the isolation, Öcalan continued his words as follows: "International law organizations need to put pressure on Turkey to end this ongoing unlawfulness. The CPT came to Turkey and visited the İmralı Prison, but Mr. Öcalan "Our call to the CPT is that they visit Imralı Prison as soon as possible and make a statement about the situation of Mr. Öcalan. Kurdish politicians need to find a solution by putting more on the agenda. Continue on Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. We do not accept this isolation."

 

MA / Mahmut Altıntaş