Families of martyrs react to Bahçeli's statement that a house was built for Öcalan on İmralı

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's announcement that a house was built on İmralı Island for PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan has sparked controversy. According to Nagehan Alçı, Bahçeli stated that Öcalan refused to move into this house without having any specific status.

It was noted that Bahçeli described the structure in question as "a building with a garden in front, offering humane living conditions." According to Alçı's account, Bahçeli stated that Öcalan wanted to move into the house only after committees were formed and began working, and after he himself had taken on a role in these committees.

According to a report by Cumhuriyet, the announcement drew sharp reactions from the families of martyrs and veterans. Pakize Akbaba, President of the Association of Martyr Mothers, reacted to the house said to have been built for Öcalan, saying, "A 2-story villa has been built. My son lies in 2 meters of sacred soil. He was engaged. At the very least, my son could have lived in a government-provided apartment and been happy."

REACTION FROM MARTYRS' FAMILIES

Akbaba stated that the pain they are experiencing continues, saying, "He was supposed to take his bride's arm at 20, but instead, she clung to his coffin. As a mother, how can I forget this? I will hold those who do not grant us our rights here accountable in the afterlife."

Erdem Çerçioğlu, General President of the Association of Martyrs' Families and Veterans, also said they were against the decision. Çerçioğlu remarked, "Martyr mothers and fathers live in dilapidated houses. You allocate a whole island to him, and on top of that, you give him a house. I don't have a single martyr friend who came out of a villa," he said.

Emrullah Aktaş, General President of the Association of Veterans of the Fight Against Terrorism, stated that the public should be clearly informed regarding the allegations. Aktaş emphasized that in an environment where the families of martyrs and veterans are experiencing economic and social problems, claims that a privileged living space is being provided to Öcalan are unacceptable.

Aktaş said, "We will not remain silent to any practice that will hurt the memory of our martyrs, damage the honor of our veterans, and open new wounds in the conscience of our nation." Stating that as families of martyrs and veterans they want to trust state institutions, Aktaş expressed that these allegations should not be left unanswered in order to preserve this trust.