A path back for the PKK! Effective remorse is expanding: Amnesty coming for 1,500 terrorists
Following the evacuation of PKK members, which came to the agenda with a so-called disarmament ceremony in Iraq, eyes have turned to the new era. With the opening of the judicial year, legislative changes regarding terror crimes are on the way. The effective remorse regulation will be expanded, and a path back will be opened for 1,500 fugitive terrorists.
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A new effort has beeninitiated for a legalframework in line withthe government's goalof a “Terror-freeTurkey.” It hasemerged that the “disarmament show”carried out by PKK terrorists in northern Iraq was followed by noteworthy negotiations.The DEM Party’sImraliDelegation held separatemeetings with both terrorist leader AbdullahOcalanand Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunc.During thesecontacts, thedetails of theprocessand the steps to be taken in the coming period were discussed. According to information reported by Ozgur Cebe from Sozcu, it has been learned that a comprehensive legal change is planned for the new judicial year, which will begin on September 1, following the end of the judicial recess.
With the new legislative term, preparations are underway to amend Article 314 of the Turkish Penal Code (membership in an armed terrorist organization) and Article 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Law (terrorist propaganda). These changes could bring about the suspension of sentences and the reduction of penalties for certain crimes from the past.
SCOPE OF EFFECTIVE REMORSE TO BE EXPANDED
The most critical step will be taken through an amendment to Article 221 of the Turkish Penal Code. This article currently provides an opportunity for exemption from punishment for those who “declare that they have left the organization without participating in a crime.” The new regulation plans to include individuals who have been involved in crimes within this scope and to apply sentence reductions at certain rates.
CONCERNS 1,500 PEOPLE
It is stated that the changes will specifically cover approximately 1,500 fugitive terrorists whose convictions have been upheld by the Court of Cassation. It is noted that the majority of these individuals live in northern Iraq and European countries, and that former executives of the now-closed DTP, BDP, and HDP are among them.
The regulation is planned to cover not only organization members who have not participated in actions but also terrorists who have been involved in armed activities.
One of the most striking topics is the inclusion of Article 302 of the Turkish Penal Code and Article 125 of the former Penal Code on the agenda. These articles cover serious crimes such as “disrupting the unity of the state” and “threatening territorial integrity.”
With potential changes to these articles, the path could be opened for the return to Turkey of terrorists who have committed grave armed acts.
Following the legislative change, it is considered possible that some individuals who previously held political positions and fled may return to Turkey and reappear in the political arena.
The legislative process is expected to be a focal point of the upcoming parliamentary session.