Prison conditions for terrorist leader Öcalan have changed: His lawyer says 'New opportunities have been provided'

İbrahim Bilmez, one of the lawyers for Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK who is held on İmralı Island, said that there have been notable changes in prison conditions recently.

Bilmez stated that both new opportunities have been provided to Öcalan and that he has observed a difference in the attitude of the prison staff.

Lawyer İbrahim Bilmez stated that he was able to hold a meeting with Öcalan for the first time since 2019.

CHANGE IN PRISON CONDITIONS

Bilmez stated that there has been a certain degree of improvement in the detention conditions of Öcalan, who has been held in İmralı for 26 years. In a statement to Reuters, he said that the attitude of the prison administration is "more respectful compared to previous years."

NEW OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED

Lawyer Bilmez described the new rights granted to Öcalan under the following headings:

Right to Socialize:

Öcalan is now able to interact and socialize with other PKK convicts in the prison.

Books and Television:

It was stated that the right to read books continues and that, in addition, the opportunity to watch certain television channels has been provided.

Providing information about Öcalan's health status following the meeting, Bilmez expressed that the terrorist organization leader's belief in the new process continues.

Bilmez stated, "His determination and will remain unchanged. Nothing has diminished. He continues to strive for a democratic solution to the Kurdish issue."