Striking claim in Ankara corridors: Demirtaş, Kavala, and Can Atalay to be released!

Nefes columnist Aytunç Erkin, in his column today, drew attention to striking sections in the social media post titled “The First Parliament and the transition to a terror-free Turkey” published by Chief Presidential Advisor Mehmet Uçum on April 23.

Erkin also pointed to the meeting held yesterday between the Ministry of Justice and the DEM Party, relaying the latest situation being discussed in political corridors.

Highlights from Aytunç Erkin's article are as follows:

When we evaluate the statements made by Mehmet Uçum and the DEM delegation, there are common points; let's look at the claims in the corridors of Ankara:

- It is stated that an exchange of views took place regarding the fact that statements made by the DEM party in particular sometimes complicate the process, and that officials making fewer statements on this matter would ease the process.

- It is believed that being too visible in the field does not contribute to the process and, on the contrary, could harm it by preparing the ground for provocative environments, and that the DEM side in particular needs to be more careful in this regard.

- It is underlined that the ruling wing will take steps toward democratization once results are achieved regarding a terror-free Turkey. Broad regulations in execution law may be made, and it could potentially cover all prisoners except those who have committed crimes that cause social harm and outrage. In this context, the path could be cleared for the release of Osman Kavala, Selahattin Demirtaş, and Can Atalay.

- It is stated that the following claim by Yıldıray Oğur, who wrote on serbestiyet.com on April 23, is strong: “The PKK's dissolution congress will likely be held this weekend. The strongest possibility is Sunday, April 27. It will likely be held not in the caves in Qandil, but in a residential area in Sulaymaniyah. And for security reasons, we will never hear the announcement of the date of the congress. We will hear the news that the congress has been held.”

- The DEM wing states, “The PKK believes that communication opportunities must be provided for Öcalan to direct the congress. There are technical means to enable Öcalan to communicate, and work can be done in this direction.”

- It is emphasized that the state is also determined to exhaust every possibility and do whatever is necessary for a terror-free Turkey (the dissolution decision).

- It is pointed out that after the ongoing state initiative—that is, the process for a terror-free Turkey—is completed with all its stages, the state will take steps in areas such as the ‘right to hope,’ execution regulations, and a new constitution, and that the groundwork for this is being prepared. It is also underlined that the news about a 3-plus-1 house in İmralı, which appeared in the media four days ago, has not been denied.