Deniz Zeyrek reveals phone conversation: See how AKP's Hüseyin Yayman denied the Imralı visit

As part of the second opening process called "Terror-Free Turkey," the commission established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) decided on November 21, through a vote, to go to Imralı and meet with Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK.

While there was curiosity about when and how the Imralı delegation—consisting of AKP Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman, MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız, and DEM Party Group Deputy Chairman Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit—would go to the island, significant developments took place on Monday regarding the matter.

AKP's Hüseyin Yayman announced that he had not gone to Imralı, but shortly after, the Mesopotamia News Agency announced that the Imralı delegation had met with the terrorist leader, and DEM Party sources confirmed the news in question.

The Office of the Speaker of the TBMM put an end to the question marks regarding the Imralı mystery. In a written statement, it was reported that the delegation had gone to Imralı and met with terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Speaking to İsmail Saymaz, AKP's Yayman also confirmed the visit, saying, "We went to Imralı Island as a commission together with Feti Yıldız and Gülistan Koçyiğit and carried out the meeting."

Yayman's contradictory statements caused reactions in politics and public opinion. Nefes columnist Deniz Zeyrek covered the phone traffic that took place on Monday regarding the Imralı meeting in his column. Noting that Feti Yıldız and Gülistan Koçyiğit could not be reached, Zeyrek shared the details of the phone call he had with Hüseyin Yayman.

“I AM AT THE HOSPITAL, I AM GOING FOR AN X-RAY NOW,” HE SAID

Zeyrek stated that when he asked Yayman, "Did you go?", he replied, "No, I am at the hospital. We will go on Tuesday or Wednesday." Zeyrek wrote that he was going to ask other questions during his conversation with Yayman, but hung up the phone after Yayman said, "I am going for an X-ray now."

The relevant part of Zeyrek's article is as follows:

“As you know, the commission established in the TBMM within the framework of the Terror-Free Turkey Project formed a delegation and sent it to Imralı (to meet with Abdullah Öcalan).

Since no one other than the ruling parties showed interest in the idea of a delegation, only representatives of three parties took part in the delegation: the AK Party, the MHP, and the DEM Party.

The delegation was represented by Feti Yıldız for the MHP, Hüseyin Yayman for the AK Party, and Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit for the DEM Party.

On Monday, November 24, 2025, information leaked to the lobbies that the delegation had gone to Imralı.

Naturally, all journalists began trying to verify this information. Our friends tried to reach Feti Yıldız and Gülistan Koçyiğit but could not.

I also called AK Party Deputy Chairman and Hatay MP Hüseyin Yayman.

Interestingly, he answered.

After a short chat, I asked, "Did you go?"

"No, I am at the hospital," he said.

I asked why he was at the hospital, saying, "Is everything okay?" He emphasized that he had an operation two months ago and went to the hospital for a check-up and was still at the hospital.

Naturally, I asked the question, "When will you go?"

He replied, "Tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday."

I was planning to ask other questions to get details, but he said, "I am going for an X-ray now." I respected his situation and hung up the phone.

Then I conveyed the information to the friends working on the news, "I spoke with Hüseyin Yayman, the information is not correct, they will go tomorrow or Wednesday."

And what do you know?

A friend of mine sent Feti Yıldız's meaningful X post. Another friend shared the link to the news reported by the Mesopotamia News Agency, "The delegation went and returned."

I said, "What else?"

I was very sad. While I kept asking myself, "At least he could have said 'I cannot give information,' he could have been honest. Why did he do that?" I then started to lament:

I am a 30-year journalist and I still haven't learned that politicians cannot be trusted this much."